I’ve had the opportunity to talk to some people about the examen lately. I gave my book about it to a couple of friends, and I talked about it in a small group that I’m part of in my parish. I think the examen is a great way to pray during Lent. Jump into Joseph Tetlow’s Lent Examen From Ashes Glory if you haven’t already. Or follow the Lunchtime Examen.
I like what a Jesuit named Santi Rodriguez says about the examen in a blog post: “It basically begins with gratitude and ends in a conversation with Jesus. For Ignatius, gratitude is the first and most important step in our spiritual journey, and intimacy with Jesus is that journey’s ultimate goal.”
Jim –
I talked about the Examen and its fundamental assumption that we come to it from a stance of gratitude today at a day of reflection I was giving (on what St. Ignatius’ spirituality might have to offer mothers!), so it was nice to see this before I bounced off to that this morning. Thank you! I recommended your book to the group for those who wanted to give this practice a try. 🙂
I’m blessed by your comments. Thank you all.
Jim, I read you book twice and always look forward to your blog posts. You have a great way of meeting your readership right where they live. I understand what you write. Right now my Examen is a work in progress, as am I.
m.
I am so very grateful to you,Jim, and to all who contribute to this marvelous website. It seems these Lenten offerings provide a veritable feast for the journey.
The Examen is a priceless gift and your new book is also on my list of “to buys.”
With gratitude, Suzanne
Thank you Paul and Lynda,
As you can tell, I love the Examen. It’s made a big difference to me and to many other people I know.
Life has never been the same since I started the Examen a few years ago. And I plan to get your book, Jim, as soon as I go to our overpriced mall in a week or so. I look forward to reading/utilizing that (your book, not the expensive shopping centre).
Actually it’s God Finds Us, on my list for this time. I read your Decision book and loved it.
Thank you for your consistency in providing the tools to lead us into a deeper relationship with our Lord.
Thank you very much, Jim, and to everyone at IgnatianSpirituality.com. There’s so much spiritual treasure on this website. It’s like an Aladdin’s Cave! Everywhere I turn there’s some new wisdom or insight to click into. I have to take it slowly and savour it – to use Ignatius’s metaphor. I love all the material on the Examen. That’s a great way of summing up this joyful prayer: ‘from gratitude to intimacy’: the goal is always getting closer to Jesus and trying to follow him.