#Daily Examen

[firstumcschenectady]

“What is Good?" based on Psalm 92:1-5, 12-15 and Matthew 7:15-20

Two weeks ago I preached a sermon entitled “There is No Single Way to Follow Jesus” where I talked about diverse understandings of God and Jesus, multitudes of prayer practices, and not writing people out of the Body of Christ because we disagree with them. It seemed pretty important to me, especially as we baptized a teenager who might have been told along the way that there is one right way to follow Jesus. Others told me that, and I was grateful my church gave me space to disagree.

Afterwards, one of the wise ones around here recommended that I preach a follow up sermon that continued to make space for the multitude of ways to follow Jesus, but helped us all see that is different from saying “everything goes.” I have taken that to be an invitation to talk about “discernment” which is the fancy word for “figuring out what God would have us do.” Or, as apple dictionary puts it (exceptionally well, wow!) “perception in the absence of judgment with a view to obtaining spiritual guidance and understanding.”1

So today we're talking about discernment, following the warnings of Matthew 7 to beware of false prophets and pay attention to whether or not love is the outcome of teachings, decisions, and leadership. That means we are also talking about how we live our faith values, and how we making decisions while listening to God. But, as an entrance into this conversation I need to tell you about what I am now thinking about as “The Great Toilet Brush Dilemma of 2023.”

Several articles I've come across recently have stated that toilet brushes should be replaced every few months, which is faster than I had thought, and I decided perhaps it should be taken seriously (as it didn't appear to be put out by the toilet brush industry.) However, the toilet brushes I have are made of plastic, and I try to minimize my use of plastic (with limited success), so I searched the internet for “eco toilet brush” and found there were a number of options. However, most of them seemed excessively expensive, which violated that old Wesleyan principle of “earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can” so I ignored those. One seemed reasonably priced and came with decent reviews, but a further look found that the brush didn't work with chemicals (maybe OK), was hard to get dry (hmmm), and tended to mold (no!). So then I went back and looked at the suggested brushes from my preferred guide to such things and they offered two ideas, both made of plastic, but with REUSABLE brush heads. Which is better than non-reusable brush heads, right? But THEN I looked to make sure I could get the brush heads and I discovered one could, but then one had to decide between getting one brush at a time at nearly the price of the whole thing or getting 4 at a time for a much better rate, that even claimed to be “eco” and CLAIMED to be biodegradable but the number of asterisks around that led to that claim being less than believable, at which point I was needed to do something else and I made absolutely no decision. It is now nearly a week later and every time I think about finishing this decision I throw my hands up in the air and move on to something else while muttering to myself that this is a really trivial thing not worthy of so much of my attention.

Which is to say that in an attempt to balance some values I hold: care for creation (limit plastics!), financial responsibility (spend wisely!), and basic cleanliness (limit bathroom bacteria growth) – I got stumped. And I needed to tell you that so I could enter into this conversation about discernment with the appropriate levels of humility and no one would think I was offering expert opinions.

It really is true that not everything goes. There are better and worse decisions that can be made, sometimes even good versus evil. But those are the EASY choices. Choose good! The harder ones are where it is more difficult to see which is which, and while we are always going to struggle with those, God is here to help us, and to forgive us when we get it wrong. We're talking about how to make those harder decisions today.

In this church we were given the gift of the phrase “optimize prime values” by a now departed member, Lee Tupper. Lee wrote, “there is a set of higher values (henceforth referred to as prime values in this discussion) that serve as the ultimate standard by which the relative 'goodness' of the consequences of human activities is to be judged. This relative 'goodness' is a measure of the degree to which the evolving human system tends towards a consistency with the relational type of God assumed. It is reasonably obvious that none of these concepts can be expected to be known or understood with real precision. It is also likely that we will not ever know whether the prime values are absolute and our knowledge of them is evolving, or the values themselves are evolving.”

However, other than suggesting “love” and “justice” as likely candidates, Lee didn't tell us what the prime values ARE. As a church we've spent some time discussing it, and at the moment we lean towards naming that we think love, justice, compassion, inclusion and humility are prime values (although we have made no claim that this is a complete list).

So, if you are looking to figure out where God may be leading you in a decision, and you are needing some structure to use in thinking about things, considering love, justice, compassion, inclusion and humility might be of use. They at least put boundaries around what is important. That said, it doesn't answer the Great Toilet Brush Dilemma of 2023, other than maybe affirming that the concerns I have are valid, which actually is a great help.

Within Methodist circles, one of the better known means of making decisions is to look at John Wesley's three simple rules: 1. Do no harm, 2. Do all the good you can, 3. Stay in love with God.2 I have taught courses on Bishop Reuben Job's short book on these rules, they're quite lovely. However, my strongest memory of teaching it was the wise lay person who said, “These rules are great, but when I attempt to apply them to anything, I get no more clarity than when I started.” I had no counter. The rules are good, and sometimes they help, but sometimes they don't.

The truth is that discernment is HARD WORK, and more of an art than a science. Most decisions are really complicated, and if they were simple they wouldn't be the ones we were struggling with. There is very, very little in the world that is pure good or pure evil, and all decisions involve balancing various values while working with limited data. (Perhaps why the Tupper family motto is “We need more data!”)

I have two means of discernment that tend to work well for me, ones that help me get past the clutter of data and competing values. One I've mentioned a few times: the spiritual practice of daily examen. Truthfully, this is the BEST method I know for making big life decisions, and often small ones too. It combines spiritually and data in a way that brings me deep joy. The process is this: every day, take some time to ask for God's help in reviewing the day and then ask two questions. One question should be along the lines of “what was the best part of my day?” or “where was I most connected to love today?” (I think those are two versions of the same question, you may not.) The second question should be along the lines of “what was the worst part of my day?” or “where was I most disconnected from love today?” After reviewing it all, thank God for the day as a whole – the good the bad and the stuff in the middle. Then, write down the answers. If you have a spiritual partner, it can be great to also share these answers every day. Over time, patterns will emerge in your answers. You will be able to see what is bringing life and what is draining life from you, and hopefully to adapt your life towards what brings life, and away from what drains life. When it comes to decisions about jobs, relationships, housing, or even faith communities, this sort of careful attention to where God's life-giving energy emerges in you is amazing for guiding decision making.

The second method is one I learned from another church member. I would NOT recommend it for major life decisions, but it may in fact work for me when it comes to the Great Toilet Brush Dilemma of 2023. This one, like the last, involves trusting that God is with me, and that I thus have the wisdom I need to make the best possible decisions. In this case it involves trusting bodily wisdom. It goes like this: Sit on the edge of a stool or a hard chair. Set up two options in different places in front of you (say, to the right and to the left), close your eyes, and then notice if your body sways towards one or the other. That is, your subconscious will guide you to the decision you likely already made but hadn't noticed yet, and the decision you already made is one that God helped you with.

Ok, there you have it: four methods to help with discernment, which is far fewer than I know, but maybe more than you needed. There is one last thing to say about this: we're going to get things wrong, a lot. And that's OK. God works with us where we are, and I think God works to multiply the good in the world, so whatever goodness we end up helping with ends up being far bigger than we might imagine. However, despite it all, I still have no clarity on toilet brushes. Alas. Amen

1Definition 2, accessed March 2, 2023.

2Particular phrasing adapted from Reuben Job. (He says 1 and 3 that way, but makes 2. “do good”).

Rev. Sara E. Baron  First United Methodist Church of Schenectady  603 State St. Schenectady, NY 12305  Pronouns: she/her/hers  http://fumcschenectady.org/  https://www.facebook.com/FUMCSchenectady

March 5, 2023

[tinyshe]

Soulful Reflection: Ignatian General Examen at Night for Spiritual Growth

🌟 Join us in a sacred nightly ritual with our latest YouTube video—a guided "Ignatian Daily General Examen at Night." Immerse yourself in the transformative power of St. Ignatius Loyola's spiritual practice, designed to enhance self-awareness, foster gratitude, and deepen your connection with God. 🌙 The Ignatian Daily General Examen is a time-tested method for reflecting on your day, discerning God's presence, and seeking guidance for spiritual growth. In this video, we walk you through each step of this powerful prayer, creating a sacred space for introspection and connection with the divine. The video's serene visuals and contemplative ambiance provide the perfect backdrop for this nightly spiritual journey. 💖 Whether you're well-acquainted with Ignatian spirituality or discovering it for the first time, this video serves as a universal expression of faith and hope. Join us in understanding the spiritual significance of the Daily Examen, a practice that brings transformative insight and spiritual renewal.

[crohnethypersensible]

Coucou 🤍

Aujourd’hui petit poste sur "Les examens de la maladie de crohn "

[jh-newman-opn]

Asking a theology! 🤭 (Sort of)

What's your take on how Fruits of the Spirit show on everyday-busy-run or you're late-work-work-work life? ✨

hello friend thank you for your theology

I have two main thoughts on this subject in general, which really boils down to the idea that you've got to hold space for your faith if you want to hear God speaking.

the first is that modern life is very loud and very fast, and that neither of these things are conducive to one's relationship with God. Imo this at least partially accounts for people drifting from their faith and the vocations crises. You've got to carve out time for your faith life. There's no such thing as "finding time" or "waiting until you have time", you simply have to decide what your priorities are and make time for them. Mass every Sunday. Morning prayer. Evening prayer. Daily rosary. Weekly holy hour. Yearly retreat. Whatever floats your boat, just make time for that thing. God speaks in silence and so you've got to find time for silence. Daily examen is very good because it makes you stop and reflect on what's gone on during the day, and to prepare for the next day. The other thing to remember is that sometimes squeezing the thing in is better than not doing it at all. I spent last Lent praying all 7 offices every day (more or less successfully), and ended up praying a lot of psalms whilst walking somewhere, or while waiting for someone, or while making a cup of tea, etc etc. Similarly-- 4 decades of the rosary on the bus, crossing yourself before eating a biscuit, saying grace halfway through your meal because you forgot to say it at the beginning, Hail Marys whilst you brush your teeth, etc. The ruts of routine become the grooves of grace etc etc. Practising your faith shouldn't be a thing you do for an hour on Sundays, but the substrate in which you move through the world.

Secondly, finding God in everything that you do is quite important. I was at a lecture by Rowan Williams recently, and he was talking about a saint who correctly identified that everyone needs a "mother superior", ie, someone or something that can always put you back in touch with God. The example given was of daily frustrations, like being stuck in traffic when you're late and it's pissing it down with rain. In that moment, that thing causing you frustration is what can get you your of your own head and put you back in touch with God. Take a moment, and say "thank you, mother superior". In a similar vein, I was also listening to Jen Fulwiler talk about crises of faith on her podcast, and she talks about how the "language" God uses to speak to you might change as your life circumstances change, and that finding multiple "languages" in which you and God might be conversing is quite important over the course of your life.

I think that covers the general context of the question you're asking-- in terms of how the fruits of the spirit specifically manifest and can be better accessed in our 21st century lives:

Love -- love in the Catholic imagination is about self-giving for the good of the other. So St Therese of Lisieux's sacrifice beads might be a good devotion to cultivate this one. Reframing small irritations as opportunities to grow in virtue, like letting someone else have that thing you wanted, or being glad someone else got promoted over you because it benefits them.

Joy -- joy is often misunderstood as being the same things as happiness, but it's not really. Joy is more about a state of being that persists despite external circumstances. I think this is more to do with finding sources of joy (family, friends, community) and holding onto those when things happen that mean we can't be happy. The examen is probably a good way of cultivating this.

Peace -- personally, reaffirming my trust in God and His ineffable plan has been helpful for this one. When things don't go the way I want them to go, I think about the times that God has led me to where I was meant to be by a really baffling route, and I remind myself that He is much better than I am at knowing what's good for me, even if I don't get it at the time. Two prayers I love for this are Newman's prayer God has created me to do Him some definite service, and the line in Psalm 118 that goes "I was punished, I was punished by the Lord, but not doomed to die". It's really about being able to say to yourself, "this isn't ideal and may even be quite horrible, but God has a plan for me and things will be ok".

Patience -- goes with the above: modern life is constantly telling us that various clocks are ticking and that we need to go faster and faster to achieve the things we want to do and that there's always someone younger and faster and brighter and arg it's all too stressful you may as well give up now. God's timing is perfect, and if you trust Him and focus always on moving towards Him, you will be where you need to be when you need to be there. That may mean missing out on opportunities you wanted, or getting to life milestones frustratingly late, but God has a plan and it will be ok. Slower prayer cycles like the rosary, the liturgy of the hours, or the chotki imo are very good for slowing down and reminding yourself that time is a grace.

Kindness -- number one thing you can do here is to pray for other people. PARTICULARLY people you don't like. Light a candle for your shitty ex. Pray for that irritating work colleague. Pray for those who persecute you. Then, do some corporal works of mercy. Volunteer with the Companions of the Order of Malta, or a soup kitchen, or an old people's home or something. Go to Lourdes as a volunteer. Involve yourself in other people's suffering. Fix some problem in your parish. Give money to that homeless person who is definitely going to use it to buy drugs. Better to hurt the wallet than to hurt charity.

Goodness -- goes with all of the above really- the further down the list of fruits of the spirit you get, the more you realise they're all interlinked. Also, being attentive to other people's goodness is a good exercise. Notice when people do small acts of kindness for you, or for others, and ask God to bless that person. When I was at Mass yesterday, there were three girls in the row in front of me and their bloke friend who was clearly new to the whole Catholicism thing, so I thanked God for their efforts to include him, and asked him to bless their friendship and this guy's faith (if any).

Faithfulness -- keep your routines solid, obey the church even when you don't get it, and trust that God is working for our good as He has always worked. There's always a crisis in the Church-- being Catholic means trusting that it will prevail as it has always prevailed. If you fall into sin or laxity, then go to confession, and trust that you've been forgiven.

Gentleness -- controlling your knee-jerk responses is quite important here, I think. Forgive, forgive, forgive. If someone's being snarky, don't snark back. It's particularly tricky imo when people are being quite aggressive about the Church, because it's easy to want to snap back and get heated trying to defend your faith. The truth is that often people who are very angry and aggressive are coming from a place of woundedness, and being gentle and trying genuinely to understand where they're coming from does a lot more good than snapping back. The best examples of this I can think of off the top of my head are the Sidewalk Advocates, whose pro-life work is done on the basis of meeting people where they're at, and showing kindness. This interview from the ERI was a great illustration of the principle.

Self-control -- 90% of self-control in modern life comes from putting the phone down. Delete your twitter, touch grass, go for a walk. The devil lives in your phone and he's some basement-dwelling incel from the other side of the world named Jared. When someone else takes the last slice of cake, be glad that they go to enjoy it. The three evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience are to do with your relationships with money, sex, and power, and if you keep in mind that lay people are meant to practice these counsels (to a degree reasonable to their lives) as a means to holiness, then it helps order your relationship with these three things, which are really the main sources of temptation and sin.

I think overall I would just round off by saying that everything is an opportunity to turn to God in prayer. Your train is delayed? Thank you mother superior, I now have time to pray a couple of decades of the rosary. Struggling to conceive? Thank you mother superior, I get more time with my spouse as a couple. Totally infertile? Thank you mother superior, I get to adopt a child who wouldn't otherwise have a home. You're dying, you're broke, and your house just got consumed by a tornado? Things may be shit but I get to rely totally on God now like Our Lady did at the foot of the Cross. Longer post needed about the "blessed are those who mourn principle" in this case, but it's always struck me that the people who have the least problems with the problem of evil are the people who are suffering the most. Jen Fulwiler's conversion story comes to mind again.

Hope that was somewhat helpful-- feel free to ask again if not. Thank you mother superior for letting me enjoy the sound of my own voice again and all that.

[danielleyongbokxlbeauty]

So i learned ypu cant love someone else if they don't equally love themselves as they should see you loving them. So any at all cheating happens and Jesus will spite you hard for playing with my feelings. I mean that dont fuck up this second chance. If I never mattered to stray kids why invest a full year on you. I miss the times we used to take and give on equal footing. I miss you guys but I cant stand cheating by no means. It's disrespectful and I have learnt thats grounds for killing someone now. Or at least have a crazier than u friend beat down a bitch for you

If I matter tell me that I matter and that you love me. That's all I need to hear. I dont like being lonely and I dont like causing my loves loneliness either. 😔~♡ Big 😢 😭 😿

You really have no idea how scared I am for myself right now. What if next Tuesday I find out if I have a cancerous mass and how will I get through that with out you. I really don't wanna end up like my parent.

And i am kidding you not but i heard a disembodied voice in my house then another youtube medium told me it was one of my angel guilds speaking to me. So first he or she came here to perhaps tell me to not give up on you 8. Then to keep forward motions along side yall and i am getting that strange tendinitis thing right ear ringing as a good omen right now. Tell me invisible forces aren't real when they do come to help you out in deep sleep stares just waking up from ur mom taking off the glasses and having a big blow out agruement over petti shit.

Also pussy pains from the growing mass inside me and I aint been examen yet. Not my period yet either. I am a moody woman and I know u guys can handle it because ur so patiently waiting it through especially lixie and chan. Sorry for the bout of crying I didn't mean to do that this late.

The only one that asked about it was chan how did he find out before I told him maybe he came to my appointment that day to see if i was really okay and he asked if we could delay the appointment to find out for a few more days. Thanks channie bear for being around there. I appericate you. You thought I didn't noticed the two guys in there with masks for me. Thank you 😊 the skinny one had to be hyunjin, lixie or in thanks guys for showing up too. You matter to me and I love you.

You really don't understand just how emotional strong these men are, sorry for not telling yall sooner. ♡♡♡♡♡

Thank you gratefully binnie for finding out for them tho to show up for me. That mattered even though we didn't talk their presence in that waiting room was more than enough.

If chan or lixie or hyunjini wants to hold my hand in the exam and surgery for removal they can it would perhaps help me get out of my going under and help my anxieties with health related stuff more. Just don't let them put an open vain port in my right arm tell them to put it else where or give me an injection of the stuff I need straight into muscle.

See the daily texts do matter to me with all of you. Helps me get out from my bad habbit. In 6 months alone went from 4-5 packs of cigs to only two. Mostly lixies demand to do right by my body. So thank you 💋 😘 peaceful again. Just had to cry.

[mysunandmoon98]

Sending waves to wave to earth as we grow alongside each other across the ocean 🌊

(rambings from a while back, edited to be coherent, please share this time of love with me)

I am someone who often questions things about myself, especially the things I am into and enjoy. I like to figure about exaclty what it is that captivates me. Wave to earth have been on my mind a lot recently with their US tour kicking off. Subsequently I started to wonder a little, what is it about this band that I am so captivated by and feel so connected to? To put it simply, music is art, and I honestly live day to day examening and thinking about art. What draws me into art is typically one of two things: admiration to anothers dedication/view of life or its relatability and how I see myself in that art, how it fits with my daily life and thoughts. Wave to earth's music is one of those gems that fulfils both categories. What captured me was their specific nestling into a blur of genres, and their appreciation and dedication to art, as well as their lyrics about life and love.

The first live performance of theirs that I watched was purple lake. It was just daniel and donkgyu in a little room, I vividly remember the purple glow of the room, and the multi coloured lights dancing across the walls. Dongkyu had a pair of sunglasses hanging from his shirt. Watching that performance, when the camera pans to dongkyu on the drums, it felt like the whole universe had singled into this one person, fulfilling their passion and translating feelings into sound. I had never been so captivated in this way before.

I started getting more into the lyrics too. I had been a fan of Daniel for a little while before I heard wave to earth so was familiar with his voice and lyrical style from the little snippets of what I understood before. I vividly remember one day, sat at the kitchen table listening to seasons, just recently after its release. I sat there with the lyrics in front of me, and I felt my heart warm a little. A delicate hum of pain and nostalgia which stuck with, and resonated with me so strongly. "I'd give you all my life, my seasons" Listening to songs like light, wave, ride and surf made me fall more in love with life. The link of love and life with the sea and nature fit hand in hand so beautifully. It gives a sense of connection, a grounding feeling, whilst also somehow making me feel like i'm floating in the clouds, my mind completely at peace, even in the middle of a hectic day.

Then as the autumn and winter come, I grativiate to songs such as bonfire and bird. A couple years ago, on my journeys back home from college, I would listen to these songs as the sun set. I shut the door on a difficult day listening to music that made life feel beautiful again. "Bird, how does it feel to fly. Hey bird, do you look down or forward?" These lyrics stuck in my mind, as I felt stuck in the sickening routine my life had back then. Do I look down to my heart, do I look to myself, to this moment, or do I look into the future? How is everyone around me living, how do you see? I felt confused, life was a blur of one day to the next. I would listen so intently, every lyric, every chord. One listen for the lyrics, one for Daniel's voice, one for the drums, one for the bass, one for the harmonies, one for it all together. It was moments of peace in during a messy time. From this, I found one of my big happinesses in life: bass guitar. I was drawn into John Cha's bass lines. I always pondered on which was a favourite. For autumn, I like bonfire, the bass gives a rich yet fluttering feeling, like fireflies dancing in the night. There is a certain part in gold which I adore it's like velvet, so smooth, so deep but also powerful. Then in daisy, in this one break- where often the guitar gets centre stage, there is just this epic breakdown, giving that depth, that almost tangible grip on the song, all the desire and the love just bursts out, and I think its incredible. I came to realise how beatiful bass guitar is. I love the melodic charm of John's playing, the variations during live performances too (I remember learning the term 'bass fills' from his youtube, which I know I probably use incorrectly haha, but just that little extra something special, I love it). I'm not too educated on music, I really only write from the heart, but I feel like John's playing, it really feels like another voice, another vocal, another expression of the lyrics. I never understood music in this way before, so deeply, so interconnected, so beautifully.

From this, music became such a bigger part of my life. I started listening to more instrumental songs, and I gained a whole new outlook on music and instruments. Side B of flaws and all... it really is my everything, that lofi jazz sound they have.. it is everything to me, and sparked my love for a new kind of music. I listen to side A when its sunny and bright out, as well as when my gloomy days need some sunshine. "I'm broken, so take me to the evening glow, and lay me down on the sun, the tender sun" This song, their music, is like a warm ray of sunshine.

So I think about this a lot, as time passes and things change. I feel I have changed and grown, and I look and see their success as a band and see how they have changed and grown and I feel immense happiness. I adore how wave to earth craft their music, their performances, their albums covers. It is always a big creative inspiration in my life. So I just wanted to talk about it, I'm a little bit lost for words, but these days I find myself tearing up thinking about these things so I just wanted to try and express how my heart has been feeling :')

[ongolecharles]

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS (DSR) 📚 Group, Thu June 20th, 2024 ... Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Reading 1 

---------

SIR 48:1-14

Like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah

whose words were as a flaming furnace.

Their staff of bread he shattered,

in his zeal he reduced them to straits;

By the Lord’s word he shut up the heavens

and three times brought down fire.

How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!

Whose glory is equal to yours?

You brought a dead man back to life

from the nether world, by the will of the LORD.

You sent kings down to destruction,

and easily broke their power into pieces.

You brought down nobles, from their beds of sickness.

You heard threats at Sinai,

at Horeb avenging judgments.

You anointed kings who should inflict vengeance,

and a prophet as your successor.

You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire,

in a chariot with fiery horses.

You were destined, it is written, in time to come

to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD,

To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons,

and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.

Blessed is he who shall have seen you 

And who falls asleep in your friendship.

For we live only in our life,

but after death our name will not be such.

O Elijah, enveloped in the whirlwind!

Then Elisha, filled with the twofold portion of his spirit,

wrought many marvels by his mere word.

During his lifetime he feared no one,

nor was any man able to intimidate his will.

Nothing was beyond his power;

beneath him flesh was brought back into life.

In life he performed wonders,

and after death, marvelous deeds.

Responsorial Psalm

---------------

PS 97:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7

R. (12a) Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;

let the many isles be glad.

Clouds and darkness are round about him,

justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. 

R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

Fire goes before him

and consumes his foes round about.

His lightnings illumine the world;

the earth sees and trembles.

R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,

before the Lord of all the earth.

The heavens proclaim his justice,

and all peoples see his glory.

R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

All who worship graven things are put to shame,

who glory in the things of nought;

all gods are prostrate before him.

R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

Alleluia 

---------

ROM 8:15BC

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

You have received a spirit of adoption as sons

through which we cry: Abba! Father!

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel 

--------

MT 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples:

“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,

who think that they will be heard because of their many words.

Do not be like them.

Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This is how you are to pray:

‘Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name,

thy Kingdom come,

thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.’

“If you forgive others their transgressions,

your heavenly Father will forgive you.

But if you do not forgive others,

neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

***

FOCUS AND LITURGY OF THE WORD

The Lord’s Prayer, or the Our Father as my mother called it, has been a part of my prayer life for as long as I can remember.  She believed it was the most important prayer we offer to God.  It is also called “the summary of the whole gospel (CCC2761).” I understand St. Ignatius of Loyola suggested saying this prayer before beginning the Examen.  Some days, this prayer is my Examen.  Following St. Ignatius’ advice, I modify a few words to be drawn more deeply into a conversation with God.          

Begin by settling into my private prayer space.   

Step One – Relish my day.

Our Father – helps me to put down the busyness of my day, focusing my attention and bringing me into conversation with the One who loves me unconditionally.     

Who is in heaven – I feel the tensions leave my body, mind, and soul as I visualize a place where humans live in harmony with each other and all of creation.  Psychologically, I slow down, easing into God’s space to be aware of God’s presence.

Step Two – Ask for God’s help.

Holy is your name – I ask the Holy One to reveal my day through God’s lens, trusting that Jesus will be with me to celebrate the blessings and offer comfort for the difficulties experienced.

Step Three – Review my day.

Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven  – I notice the events of my day without judgment, such as:  When did I surrender to God’s agenda today, or did I think I am somehow in charge?   Do I trust God’s perfect plan will unfold at the “right time,” or did I lose hope thinking God might not be in charge?  

Give us this day our daily bread – I notice the events of my day without judgment, such as: The  “bread” I freely receive each day (shelter, food, clothing, freedom, the Gospel message, etc.), and I reflect on how I serve (or failed to serve) those who struggle for “bread.” I ask God to provide “bread” that fills each person’s needs.

Step Four – Repent.

Forgive my sins – I ask forgiveness for the damage I caused in my relationships today, especially my relationship with God.  I consider how I am caring for the gift of life God has given me.  I ask, how did I care for God’s creation today?  I praise God for the gift of the day and ask forgiveness for all of my transgressions.

***

SAINT OF THE DAY

St Paulinus of Nola

(354 – June 22, 431)

Saint Paulinus of Nola’s Story

Anyone who is praised in the letters of six or seven saints undoubtedly must be of extraordinary character. Such a person was Paulinus of Nola, correspondent and friend of Saints Augustine, Jerome, Melania, Martin, Gregory and Ambrose.

Born near Bordeaux, he was the son of the Roman prefect of Gaul, who had extensive property in both Gaul and Italy. Paulinus became a distinguished lawyer, holding several public offices in the Roman Empire. With his Spanish wife, Therasia, he retired at an early age to a life of cultured leisure.

The two were baptized by the saintly bishop of Bordeaux and moved to Therasia’s estate in Spain. After many childless years, they had a son who died a week after birth. This occasioned their beginning a life of great austerity and charity, giving away most of their Spanish property. Possibly as a result of this great example, Paulinus was rather unexpectedly ordained a priest at Christmas by the bishop of Barcelona.

He and his wife then moved to Nola, near Naples. He had a great love for Saint Felix of Nola, and spent much effort in promoting devotion to this saint. Paulinus gave away most of his remaining property��to the consternation of his relatives—and continued his work for the poor. Supporting a host of debtors, the homeless and other needy people, he lived a monastic life in another part of his home. By popular demand he was made bishop of Nola and guided that diocese for 21 years.

Paulinus’ last years were saddened by the invasion of the Huns. Among his few writings is the earliest extant Christian wedding song. His liturgical feast is celebrated on June 22.

Reflection

----------

Many of us are tempted to “retire” early in life, after an initial burst of energy. Devotion to Christ and his work is waiting to be done all around us. Paulinus’ life had scarcely begun when he thought it was over, as he took his ease on that estate in Spain. “Man proposes, but God disposes.”

***

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[pastramimommy]

2025 Goals

physical:

-pole 1x week

-cardio 1x week

-pancake, dragon squat, handstand, bonus: muscle up, back walkover

-waterfloss daily

-rogaine + head massage daily

-4 owalas of water

-weekly self care day: oil scalp, dermaroll, retinol and face massage

Spiritual/mental:

-find a church!

-examen qAM

-make daily checklist qPM

-journal qmonth

-stick to AM routine

Financial:

-budget check qweek

Other:

-deep clean 1x month

-no dishes in sink before bed

-no clothes on floor outside of closet

-text everyone back by end of day

-keep 15 minute limit on IG

[catholicmemoirs]

Working on a new horarium

Did I mention that I have self-published several Catholic journals and planners?

I haven't had time to promote it since I've been so busy with work (and the rat race of living in San Francisco Bay Area as a software engineer), my oldest son starting preschool and my youngest son having terrible bouts of sleep where he would wake up every 2 hours for months.

I've been falling into a habit of sleeping when I put the baby to sleep, so rather than sleeping after midnight, I'm asleep at 8/9pm. I sometimes wake again at random times at night like midnight, 2am or 4am. I think my body's just adjusting, but it's made such a huge difference with my energy to get that rest.

Because of the random times I wake up, I realized I need to rethink my horarium.

A horarium is a schedule that religious follow and plan their daily hours around prayer. I was inspired by the nuns at Carmel of Cristo Rey, a monastery of Carmel nuns here in San Francisco, when I was looking into their daily life. They have a horarium of their daily hours listed on their website and I was inspired because it's very similar to a schedule I made for many years.

With my odd asleep schedule, I need to make a new one. So here's my attempt:

5:00pm Vespers. Stop work, commute if in office.

6:00pm Dinner.

7:00pm Rosary.

7:30pm Kids bedtime routine.

8:30 Night prayers.

9:00pm Compline. Sleep.

12:00am Matins. Examen.

12:30am Sleep.

4:00am Lauds. Watch Latin Mass while working.

6:00am Prime.

6:15am Nap.

8:00am Rise, make breakfast.

8:30am Tierce. School dropoff.

9:00 Work.

11:30 Pilates.

12:00pm Angelus.

12:05 Sext. Lunch, walk, Lectio Divina.

1:00pm Work.

3:00pm None. School pickup (when WFH).

What I like about the practice of a horarium is that your day is planned around prayer.

I usually put in the hours and start by adding which hour of prayer it is. Then I add my regular tasks outside of prayer. I save it as a phone wallpaper and put it on my lockscreen.

It's 1:38am now and I need to get back to sleep, but here is the horarium page from the undated planner I made, called Horarium!

[ilghila]

Analetti (XV)

Un unico e semplicissimo esame di coscienza quotidiano è veramente indispensabile: quanto il mio egoismo ha dominato le mie azioni? Un seul et très simple examen de conscience quotidien est vraiment nécessaire : combien mon égoïsme a gouverné mes actions ? A single and simple daily examination of conscience is truly necessary: how much has my selfishness governed my actions?

[christine-marie-eberle]

Katie (Haseltine) Mullin

Part of the Thankful Thursday Series During my pilgrimage, one of the practices that sustained me was the Ignatian daily Examen. Even though Ignatius said the prayer should take no longer than fifteen minutes, on the Camino I sometimes devoted up to an hour, wringing every drop of grace from the previous day. Walking through the steps of gratitude, light, rumination, contrition, and hope each…

[theoriedoen]

Passing your driving theory test is the first major milestone in obtaining your driving license. Whether you're a new learner or someone renewing your license, practicing for the theory exam is crucial. This guide will take you through everything you need to know about driving theory test practice questions and how to prepare efficiently for your exam.

1. Understand the Structure of the Test

The first step in preparing for your theory exam is understanding its structure. The driving theory test is typically divided into two sections: multiple-choice questions and the hazard perception test. The multiple-choice section covers various topics such as traffic rules, road safety, and vehicle handling, while the hazard perception test assesses your ability to identify potential dangers on the road.

Familiarizing yourself with these sections can significantly reduce test anxiety and ensure you know what to expect on the exam day. Many online resources, like TheorieDoen, offer practice tests that simulate the actual exam, giving you a chance to practice under real test conditions.

2. The Importance of Driving Theory Test Practice Questions

Practicing with driving theory test practice questions is the most effective way to prepare. These questions are designed to reflect the actual exam, helping you to familiarize yourself with the format, content, and type of questions you’ll encounter. Moreover, practicing with these questions allows you to assess your understanding of the rules of the road.

High-quality platforms like TheorieDoen provide updated and comprehensive practice questions that cover all the relevant topics, including road signs, vehicle safety, and traffic regulations. Consistent practice will improve your recall and help you navigate the test more confidently.

3. Utilize Mock Tests

Once you've practiced individual questions, it's time to take full mock exams. Mock tests are essential because they help you experience the timing and pressure of the actual theory exam. Time management is crucial in passing the test, as you must answer each question within a specific time limit.

When practicing, aim to complete the mock test in one sitting to build your endurance. Try to simulate real exam conditions by timing yourself and sitting in a quiet environment. Online platforms like TheorieDoen offer timed mock tests that replicate the actual exam's pace, giving you a better sense of what to expect.

4. Focus on Your Weak Areas

After each session of driving license theory test practice, review your results carefully. Identify the topics where you performed poorly and spend extra time studying those areas. Are you struggling with understanding road signs, or do questions on speed limits trip you up? By pinpointing your weak areas, you can adjust your study plan accordingly and ensure you’re fully prepared.

Many theory exam practice platforms provide detailed feedback on your answers, allowing you to see where you went wrong and how to improve. This feature helps you gain deeper insights into your mistakes, ensuring you don't repeat them on the actual test.

5. Develop a Consistent Study Routine

Passing the theory exam isn't about cramming the night before; it requires consistent practice over time. Developing a study schedule is key to retaining information effectively. Dedicate at least 30 minutes to an hour daily for theory exam practice, alternating between practicing questions, reviewing notes, and taking mock tests.

Consistency is crucial for retaining what you've learned. If possible, dedicate specific days to cover different aspects of the theory exam, such as focusing on traffic signs one day and road safety the next. Platforms like TheorieDoen provide tools to track your progress, helping you stay on top of your study routine.

6. Take Care of Yourself Before the Test

Finally, remember that mental and physical well-being plays a significant role in your exam performance. Get enough rest the night before the test, and avoid last-minute cramming, which can increase stress levels. Also, ensure you eat a healthy meal before heading to the test center, as a lack of energy can affect your focus.

Approach the test with a calm mind and confidence, knowing that your driving theory test practice has prepared you well. The more comfortable you are with the test format and content, the more likely you are to succeed.

Conclusion

Preparing for the driving theory test doesn't have to be stressful. With the right strategies—understanding the test structure, practicing consistently with driving theory test practice questions, and focusing on your weak areas—you can increase your chances of passing on the first try. Mock tests, detailed feedback, and a steady study routine are crucial components of a successful preparation plan.

For high-quality resources and the best tools to help you ace your theory exam, visit TheorieDoen. Their comprehensive practice questions, mock tests, and progress-tracking tools will guide you through the entire preparation process.

[novenaapp]

Examen

What are the 5 steps of an Examen? Resolve, in concrete ways, to live tomorrow well. Relish the moments that went well and all of the gifts I have today. Request the Spirit to lead me through my review of the day. Review the day. Repent of any mistakes or failures. Specifically, How Do You Do the Examen? Ignatius provides a simple five-step routine for our daily Examen: Give…

[no-mas-boronas]

Mi psicóloga me pidió una tarea (que tenía que ver con cosas buenas) en la sesión de la semana pasada pero como no es novedad auto sabotearme, olvide cuál era la tarea.

La verdad estoy buscando como calmar la ansiedad que está presente en este momento (para la Lau del futuro, ve tu publicación anterior), voy a escribir cosas buenas que me pasaron desde el día que fue mi terapia.

Agosto 2024

1.- jueves, 15. Ese día pagaron y aunque casi siempre el día de paga significa pagar deudas para mi, ese día tenía muchos nervios del examen que iba tomar el viernes y tenía que estudiar y como ya no me entraba más información hice una pausa, le pedí a mi marinovio que me llevará por helado al centro comercial y me relaje un rato para poder continuar estudiando.

2.- viernes, 16. Fue un día altamente estresante, de nervios y muy abrumador por al menos 6 horas entre despertar y hacer el examen, pero lo pase 🎉 mi primer certificación de Microsoft, fue espectacular ✨ me sentí yo otra vez y luego cene taquitos con mi marinovio al que amo demasiado ❤️

3.- sábado, 17. Acompañar a uba al fútbol es de las cosas que más me gustan en mi vida regia, porque es algo que a él le gusta mucho y a mi me gusta él 🤭. Pero también me dormí todaaaaaa la tardeeeeeeee y luego fuimos al cine, de verdad fue un día increíble ✨

4.- domingo, 18. Fue día de mandado y también amo mucho planear con mi novio la comida, pensar que vamos a hacer al llegar a casa y ver la tele juntos ❤️

5.- lunes, 19. Felicitaciones en el Daily por pasar la certificación, yeiiiii 🎉. Decidí no correr mucho, solo caminar y por partes correr, me sentía un poquito mal, pero no quiero dejar de lado está actividad así que ánimo ✨

6.- martes, 20. Fuimos a la oficina 🥳 platique con más gente y logré conectar sin presionarme, COMO ADMIRO A LA PERSONA QUE NOS DA LAS PLÁTICAS CADA MES, es quien yo quiero ser en esta vida de verdaaaaaaaaad, comimos taquitos y luego llegando a casa tome una siesta jiji, salí a caminar... No pude correr, no tuve energía pero salí 🎉 y me celebro eso. Luego mi papá me pidió dinero prestado y no tenía para darle, breve y doloroso, abrió heridas que yo de verdad pensé que ya estaban a punto de cerrar, pero aún así agradezco poder ver eso.

LAU DEL FUTURO, NO FUE UNA MALA SEMANA, FUE UNA MALA NOCHE, unos minutos, tal vez unas horas, pero creeme NO ES SUFICIENTE PARA ARRUINARTE TODO LO QUE SALIÓ BIEN ❤️‍🩹

[keepittightsisters]

Quick Guide to the Daily Examen for Busy Women

Do you ever feel like your busy schedule leaves little room for reflection and spiritual growth? The Daily Examen for busy women might be the perfect solution for you. It was developed in the 16th century by St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. This powerful spiritual practice involves daily evening reflection to discern God’s presence and direction in your life. Indeed, it helps…

[hantologie]

Theologians worried that supposedly mystical women's physiological and mental frailties made them all too likely to be ruled by carnal desires and melancholic natures. Jean Chéron wrote in his Examen de la théologie mystique of 1657 that the majority of mystics were actually poor creatures suffering from melancholy. They were mostly women, he said, because women were morally and physically weak, and had a propensity to be moved by their passions. Even when determined to be authentic, mystics were thought to embody a particularly feminine paradox of power within weakness: they were ignorant of much human teaching but taught by God. In attributing their teachings directly to a divine source without human intermediary, women mystics entered into another paradox: their claims to mysticism liberated them from many of the hierarchical structures of the church, but placed their words under the surveillance and control of male directors. Many of these directors were especially concerned with how to know if mystical women were experiencing visions of saints or communication with demons.

Mairie Cowan, The Possession of Barbe Hallay: Diabolical Arts and Daily Life in Early Canada