Lights and shadows

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Tenderness

Tony Anderson

Welcome to the Saturday Examen.

Our readings this week have described both highs and lows in the ministry of Jesus. Great crowds have followed him, hanging on his words. He has taught and healed and confronted evil. But he has also been repeatedly opposed and attacked, often by those religious leaders he might have expected to welcome him. Today’s time of prayer invites you to recall the highs and lows, lights and shadows, of your own life this week. Start by taking a moment to become aware that God is with you here and now.

Ask God, in your own words, to become increasingly aware of God with you throughout this week, alongside you wherever you have been.

Notice, first, where things have gone well for you. What is there, as you recall it, that it would be obviously worthwhile to thank God for? Spend a while in quiet thanksgiving.

Now recall some of the lows, the shadow times. What leads you to think of them in that way? And from where you are now, in this time of prayer, are you perhaps able to see God present and working even in some of these difficult moments?

How would you describe your own response to God’s presence in your different experiences this week? Speak to God for a little while now about this.

Lastly, look forward to the week ahead. No doubt it will have its own lights and shadows. What do you most need to ask God for as you move forward into these days? Make that request of God now.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen