|
Today's Scripture ~ Psalm 139.1-6, 23-24 (CEV)
1 Lord, you have examined me
and know all about me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I get up.
You know my thoughts before I think them.
3 You know where I go and where I lie down.
You know everything I do.
4 Lord, even before I say a word,
you already know it.
5 You are all around me—in front and in back—
and have put your hand on me.
6 Your knowledge is amazing to me;
it is more than I can understand.
23 God, examine me and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any bad thing in me.
Lead me on the road to everlasting life.
Wisdom Story
Two Eskimos took a room in a summer hotel and were surprised when two mosquitoes attacked them, for they had never seen a mosquito. That night they turned out the light and went to bed, and two fireflies flitted in through the window. "It's now use," groaned one to the other, "they've come back with lanterns looking for us!"
Wisdom Quote
Prayer is the inner bath of love into which the soul plunges itself.
*St. John Vianney (1786-1859)
Comments
The ancient Christian practice of the prayer of examen is an honest look at our lives. We can do this prayer daily, weekly, monthly, or whenever we choose to.
What does that odd word "examen" mean? Examen, as you can see, is related to "examination." Examen, explains Richard Foster, comes into English via the Latin. The Latin refers to the tongue, or weight indicator, on a balance scale. Hence, examen implies an accurate assessment of a situation (Prayer).
Foster identifies two aspects of this kind of prayer. First, the prayer includes examen of consciousness. Here, we discover how God has been present with us through the day and how we have responded to that Presence. Second, in the prayer is examen of conscience. We uncover those areas needing cleansing and healing.
The intent behind all confession is vital for it to work for us, not against us. We are not to use examen as a means of either self-criticism or self-justification. Examen is for healing.
Also, examen increases alertness to God. Praying over the day, for example, leads to seeing how God is working in our lives. This leads to mindfulness to the Grace present to us as we live through the day. Foster refers to this as the "footprints of the Holy." This is to say that frequent examen increases the Practice of the Presence of God.
We need not work hard at examen. Simple, trusting openness to God is sufficient. Our clear intent, in the Silence, is adequate to communicate readiness for the Spirit of Light to enlighten the areas we have and have not responded as needed to the Will of God. Madame Guyon rightly cautions against relying on our diligence rather than God for the discovery and awareness of our sin (Experiencing God through Prayer).
In examen, as all the spiritual life, we turn ourselves in resignation to the Divine. Foster writes, "A yes to life means an honest recognition of our own evil, but it is also a yes to God, who in the midst of our evil sustains us and draws us into his righteousness."
This quote by Foster is more easily taken by us if we recall two things. First, we need to recall that evil is anything, even the most subtle thought or intent, leading us from the Will of God and what is good for everyone. Likewise, Foster points out the freeing aspect of examen. When I am honest in confessing both the good and bad of my life, that opens me up to the Divine Presence drawing me into his righteousness. So, examen is not simply confession; examen is a means of grace, whereby the Spirit of Love transforms us into the rightness of God Himself. This is not self-improvement but transformation of the self.
And, as all prayer, examen is an act of love. The words above by St. John Vianney are needful for us to hear with and apply to the heart. Many persons, like this writer, were socialized in a religious view that treats confession as purely an admission of guilt and of disappointing God. Listen to, however, and prayerfully meditate on these words:
Prayer is the inner bath of love into which the soul plunges itself.
Examen is a part of a life of grace, not religious or moral legalism. Examen is a way of opening to the loving God who wants to connect us to love, joy, and peace, and by helping heal those aspects of our selves that disconnect us from the fullness of these qualities.
Last, through examen we can become more compassionate toward the faults of others. Francois Fenelon wrote: "Nothing will make us so charitable and tender to the faults of others, as, by self-examination, thoroughly to know our own" (Marcia Ford. Traditions of the Ancients).
Reflection
How does the opening story relate to a felt sense of sin that we may often face?
How does examen facilitate being transformed into the likeness of Christ?
What does it mean to say that examen is a means of grace?
How is examen an act of love?
Are you attracted to practice examen? Why do you think this is so?
Are you hesitant to practice examen? Why do you think this is so?
Spiritual Exercise
Practice examen each evening for a month. Then, examine how the prayer might be helping you.
Brian will respond to requests pertaining to seeking a Spiritual Mentor. He offers retreats, workshops, and classes in such subjects as Contemplative Prayer (he trains in Visualized Praying, Centering Prayer, Christian Meditation, The Jesus Prayer, ...), Contemplative Living, A Spiritual Understanding of the Lord's Prayer, and Spiritual Use of the Scripture. See any major on-line bookseller for his book An Ache for Union.
For bibliographical data, submission of replies, and biographical information, see next page:
Continued... |
