Spiritual Exercise for the Week. . .

. . .of 08 November 2009
32nd Sunday B
Revelation 7. 2-4, 9-14; Psalm 24; 1John 3. 1-3; Matthew 5. 1-12a
[find readings here]

I pause each day for 15 minutes. First, I pause in the presence of the Trinity:

• I ease into an awareness of the Trinity recreating me.

• I speak to the Divine persons, or I say nothing.

I use whatever helps me open my mind, my heart and my inner vision: The confident faith of the widow of Zarephath freed her to respond to Elijah's request (first reading). What prevents me from feeling God keeping faith with me (responsorial)? Jesus' faith allowed him to live most generously (second reading). With whom do I more easily identify in the gospel of Jesus seeing how people made offerings in the temple? Do I desire to identify with the poor widow?

I give myself to my spiritual exercise, and I ask for this grace:
I desire to live my faith more freely.

• I ask the poor widow to present me to Jesus.
  

• I converse with Jesus:

1. I thank Jesus for my faith and consider how freely I live my faith:

Am I a good steward of God’s many gifts?

Am I a loving steward, or am I an anxious steward, who needs to manage anxiety more than God’s gifts?
2. I ask Jesus for the grace to live my faith more freely.

• I close, saying slowly the Lord's Prayer. Jesus gave it to me to say daily, so I might live my faith more freely this day, this hour, this moment.

Aware of my feelings and emotions which surfaced as I conversed with Jesus:

• Finally, I jot down my reactions; the way Jesus was toward me; what I have noticed; and I look forward to tomorrow.

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A Note on Jotting My Prayer Reactions

1. I do not force myself to write.
2. I do not force a certain style of writing. (Some people keep diaries; longer entries come easily or naturally. Others write a word or a phrase; a summary is all they need.)
3. I keep at hand the kind of prayer-record (diary; loose-leaf binder; 3x5 spiral pad; computer; PDA) which is most conducive for me.
4. I date each entry.
5. Periodically--after a week; after a month; after a liturgical season, for example--I review my jottings. They form a record of both my praying, and more importantly, the Trinity's graces given me.