Pastor’s Corner “The Examen”

One of the spiritual disciplines in our Lenten guide, “A Long Walk with Jesus,” is the ancient practice of “the examen.” Adele Calhoun provides a helpful summary of this practice in her Spiritual Disciplines Handbook:

The examen provides a way of noticing where God shows up in our day. It is a practice that attends to what we might otherwise miss in the press of duties and busyness. The questions of the examen open our attention to how God's internal movement is present in our external comings and goings. They lead us to listen deeply to the data of our lives. These questions help us pay attention to our mental state, our body responses and our emotional baggage. Our insomnia, nervous stomach, difficult interaction and headache can all take their place as a possible way of more deeply leaning into God. The examen helps us recognize the things that bring us death and life. Once these things are known, they become part of our ongoing interaction with God in prayer.

This is a very practical way of growing in Paul’s direction to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

This Sunday, March 09, I will teach more about the examen and provide the opportunity for us to practice it together. We’ll meet in Classroom 4 (the room by the kitchen) from 9:15am-10:15am.

Be sure to download our Lenten guide or pick up a hard copy on Sunday so you can participate in the weekly opportunities for prayer, Scripture-reading, alms-giving, and fasting. As part of the inner circle of Jesus, this is an important way for us together be with Jesus, awaken to his reality, listen to him, and walk with him into the arms of our Father.

Your Pastor in Christ,