Patient hope

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moonstone

Antarctic Wastelands, Be Still the Earth

Welcome to the Saturday Examen.

This week’s readings have taken us from the temple in Jerusalem to the roads and tables of Luke’s Gospel. Today we remember St Joseph Pignatelli, a Jesuit who lived through the suppression of the Society of Jesus and spent years quietly keeping its spirit alive until it could be restored. His patient hope reminds us that God is at work even when we cannot yet see the outcome. Find a time of quiet space and the best way for your body and mind to become still, so that you can become aware of God’s presence with you now.

Begin by noticing how you are arriving. This week Jesus spoke of zeal for God’s house and of the temple of his own body. Have you been aware of God dwelling this week, in yourself, in other people, in ordinary experiences? Or have you felt crowded out by busyness, like a temple full of traders?

We heard of the servant who does what is asked without looking for applause, and of the ten who were healed, only one of whom came back to give thanks. Take some time to look back over the week. What gifts have you received? Who has been generous with you? Is there anything you have not yet thanked God for? Let gratitude rise and stay with it for a while.

We heard that God’s kingdom is among us and then were given the sober images of Noah and Lot, with their call to be ready and to travel lightly. Have you glimpsed the kingdom this week, perhaps in a place that you weren’t looking for it? Or have you been so caught up in the daily round that you have lived half asleep? Was there anything you were clinging to or looking back at, which kept you from moving freely?

Notice, without judgement, whatever has been hard this week: perhaps a moment when you turned away from love, or failed to serve as you wished. Bring it honestly to God, who meets us with mercy, as Jesus met the ten who cried out to him. Then look ahead to the coming week. What grace do you need? Perhaps readiness, perhaps freedom, perhaps the patient hope of Joseph Pignatelli.

Whatever has risen to the surface, whether thanks, sorrow or a request, take time now to express it to God, who daily invites us to speak as one friend to another.

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