"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
--2 Cor.13:13

"TAKE, LORD, RECEIVE...MY MEMORY":  REFLECTING ON THE SCHOOL YEAR

Take time to reflect.  As we come to the end of another school year, I'd like to present an examen exercise adapted from one developed by Anthony de Mello, SJ, an Indian Jesuit spiritual writer and psychotherapist, who died of a heart attack on this date, June 2, in 1987.  Fr. de Mello's work continues to be cherished as an Eastern approach to Ignatian spirituality.  Videos of his lectures are available on YouTube.

You may want to try the following exercise sometime over the next week or so, as your schedule permits:

Remember
I take some quiet time to remember I am held in God's lovingkindness.  I notice how God sustains me with His providential care...health, food, meaningful work, security, spouse, family, friends.... [Pause to reflect]

Imagine
I imagine God handing me a large notebook and asking me to jot down what comes to mind when prompted with these phrases [Pause to reflect after each statement; notice what comes to mind]:

1.    These are the memories I carry within me about this school year....

2.    These are the faces of the students and adults I will remember....

3.    These are the conversations that will stay with me....

4.    These are the experiences I have most cherished....

5.    These are the supports that kept me sane....

6.    These are the beliefs I have outgrown....

7.    These are the convictions I now live by....

8.    These are the things I have learned....

9.    These are the things I willingly forgive....

10.   These are the risks I chose to take....

11.   These are the sufferings that have seasoned me....

12.   These are my regrets....

13.   These are the ones I pray for....

14.   These are the gifts of this year....

15,   These are the scriptures that have lit my path....

Gratitude
After allowing what comes to mind come, I close my notebook and present it to God as a gift.   I notice how rich my year has been, and how present God has been in my life.  I remember that I bless whatever I am grateful for.  I conclude with words of thanksgiving to God.



Petitions
For a blessed summer; for those preparing for exams; for those preparing for the Kairos retreat and for the Mission trip.


Prayer
"Suscipe" of St. Ignatius Loyola

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
all I have and call my own.

You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.

Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.