Spiritual Exercise for the Week. . .

2012-01-22T07:30:00.000-05:00

. . .of 22 January 2012
Third Sunday of the Year (B)

I pause each day for 15 minutes.

I pause in the love of the Trinity for 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 word of the LORD came... (first reading) Teach me your ways, O Lord. (responsorial psalm) The world in its present form is passing away. (second reading) Do I welcome Jesus inviting me to join him? (gospel)

I give myself to my spiritual exercise: I ask Jesus for grace to overcome what keeps me from responding wholeheartedly to Jesus.

I ask St. Paul to present me to Jesus.

In my words I converse with Jesus:

I tell Jesus about my determination and energy to respond to Jesus inviting me; and
I tell Jesus what stands in my way of responding to him.

I ask for grace to overcome what keeps me from responding wholeheartedly to Jesus.

I close my prayer time with Jesus by saying the Lord’s Prayer. Its reminder that God’s kingdom dawns on earth as...in heaven encourages me and frees my heart to respond as I am and to follow Jesus in deed as well as word.

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

I do not force myself to write.
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.)
I keep at hand the kind of prayer-record (diary; loose-leaf binder; 3x5 spiral pad; computer; PDA) which is most conducive for me.
I date each entry.
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.

Spiritual Exercise for the Week. . .

2012-01-15T07:30:00.000-05:00

. . .of 15 January 2012
Second Sunday of the Year (B)

[Link to Readings]

I pause each day for 15 minutes.

I compose myself in the presence of the Trinity.

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

I use whatever helps me open my mind, my heart and my inner vision. Your servant is listening. (first reading) Here am I, Lord! (responsorial psalm) Whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one Spirit with him. (second reading) Two people followed Jesus with longing. Am I able to see myself in them? In what way? (gospel)

I give myself to my spiritual exercise: I ask Jesus for the grace to seal my friendship with him by personal praying, public worship and willingly serving others.

I ask Samuel or Andrew or the Baptist or my patron saint to present me to Jesus.

In my words I converse with Jesus:

I praise and thank Jesus for my life and for the vocation-mission Jesus has given me; Or, if I am discerning a vocation
I praise and thank Jesus for my life and ask Jesus to enlighten me; and
I ask Jesus to seal my friendship with him through personal praying, public worship and willingly serving others.

I close my prayer time with Jesus by saying the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus’ prayer guides me to grow more familiar with Jesus and his way and put my faithful friendship with Jesus into action.

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