Weekly Examen
January 9-15: A Look Back for Hope
Charles Alston, Girl in a Red Dress 1934
Every Saturday we can take some time to search for hope by looking back on our week. Here’s where we focus on what elevated our hope and inspired us, rather than what deflated and discouraged us.
SURRENDER
To begin, here’s a prayer created by Fr. Richard Rohr based on Psalm 46:10. Let it help you surrender to the presence of God. Find a comforting safe place. Quietly read aloud each line of the prayer, taking slow, steady breaths as you go:
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
Amen
EXAMEN
Within this new quiet space of awareness of God, begin a weekly examen.
Begin by looking back through the week, starting with Sunday and moving from one day to the next. Are there instances that immediately come to mind? Rest on those moments. Let any feelings rise and fall.
Which of those moments brought feelings of despair, disappointment, sadness, or hopelessness? Hold those feelings for a moment:
- What lifted you and helped you continue despite those low moments?
- What did you wish or hope for in the midst of those moments – perhaps an apology, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, rest?
- What small glimmer of light was provided – perhaps a laugh, a text, a hug, a cup of coffee or tea, or maybe a nap?
Go back to the beginning of the week. What moments come to mind that give you feelings of joy, peace, courage, or calm? Let those feelings rise and keep rising:
- What made you extremely grateful?
- What made you feel secure?
- What made you feel seen, loved and known?Where in creation did you see the reflection of God? Where did you see God’s reflection in other people?
What hopes do you hold for next week?
CLOSING PRAYER
O Majesty,
Your presence surrounds us every minute and moment.
We are not alone.
Thank you for your love.
You are my hope.
Amen.
I was drifting to sleep the other night, and the "Be still and know.." prayer popped in my head. I have loved that you post this regularly. It occurred to me that the reverse order of this prayer has been something of a roadmap for me in the hard times for recognizing where God is, steps to take to slow down, reflect, and see—and to be okay wherever I find myself along that path, because God is in it, and coming. These posts make such a difference during a time (in my life and in the world) that has been harder to be at church, to be in community— Thank you for these steadfast reminders.