The Exam
The daily examination, also known as the Examen, is a powerful tool for reflecting on your day and discerning God’s presence and guidance in your life. Here’s a detailed guide to help you with your daily examination for today:
Daily Examination Guide
1. Preparation
- Find a Quiet Place: Set aside a quiet time and place where you can be alone with your thoughts and God.
- Invite the Holy Spirit: Begin with a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide your reflection and to help you see your day with clarity and openness.
2. Gratitude
- Reflect on Your Day: Think back over the events of the day, from the moment you woke up to the present.
- Identify Blessings: Consider the moments that brought you joy, peace, or a sense of God’s presence. These could be big or small moments, such as a meaningful conversation, a task well done, or a moment of beauty in nature.
- Express Thanks: Thank God for these blessings. Gratitude helps you recognize God’s goodness and fosters a positive outlook.
3. Review the Day
- Examine Your Actions and Attitudes: Reflect on how you lived today. Consider your thoughts, words, and deeds.
- Moments of Alignment: Identify moments when your actions and attitudes were aligned with Jesus’ teachings. Recall instances of kindness, patience, humility, and love.
- Moments of Misalignment: Acknowledge moments when you fell short, acted out of selfishness, impatience, or failed to live up to Jesus’ example.
4. Acknowledge and Seek Forgiveness
- Recognize Shortcomings: Honestly acknowledge where you fell short today. Be specific about your actions or attitudes that were not in line with Jesus’ teachings.
- Ask for Forgiveness: Seek God’s mercy and forgiveness for these shortcomings. Trust in His infinite love and compassion.
5. Resolve to Improve
- Set Intentions for Tomorrow: Think about how you can better align your actions with Jesus’ example tomorrow. Set specific, achievable intentions.
- Ask for Help: Pray for the grace and strength to follow through on these intentions. Ask God to help you grow in areas where you struggle.
6. Close with a Prayer
- Conclude with a Prayer: End your Examen with a prayer, such as the Our Father, or a spontaneous prayer expressing your thoughts and feelings to God.
Example Examen
- Preparation:
- “Holy Spirit, enlighten my mind and heart as I reflect on this day. Help me to see clearly and to be honest with myself and with You.”
- Gratitude:
- Reflect on moments of joy: “Thank You, Lord, for the beautiful sunrise I saw this morning, for the kind words from a colleague, and for the delicious meal I enjoyed at lunch.”
- Review the Day:
- Moments of Alignment: “I was patient and kind to my family during breakfast, I offered help to a friend in need, and I took time to pray during a stressful moment.”
- Moments of Misalignment: “I was impatient in traffic, I judged a coworker harshly, and I neglected to spend time in prayer before bed.”
- Acknowledge and Seek Forgiveness:
- “Lord, I recognize my impatience and judgmental attitude today. I am sorry for these actions and ask for Your forgiveness. Help me to be more patient and understanding tomorrow.”
- Resolve to Improve:
- “Tomorrow, I will strive to be more patient in my interactions, especially when I feel stressed. I will also make time for prayer at the end of the day.”
- “Lord, grant me the grace to grow in patience and understanding. Help me to see others with Your eyes and to respond with love.”
- Close with a Prayer:
- “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.”
Additional Tips
- Consistency: Try to perform the Examen daily to cultivate a habit of reflection and growth.
- Journal: Keep a journal of your daily Examen to track your progress and to see patterns in your spiritual journey.
- Flexibility: Adapt the Examen to fit your personal style and needs, making it a meaningful and transformative practice.
By regularly practicing the Examen, you can deepen your awareness of God’s presence in your life, grow in virtue, and become more aligned with Jesus’ teachings.
Let us turn inwards and reflect on our life in the Presence of Our Creator
Would you like any further details or guidance on any part of the Examen? Let me know.
