In gathering up your day through the practice of Examen, you become attentive to the divine unfolding before you in the “everyday” moments of your life. I (Vanessa) imagine this being the heart of what Paul meant when he encouraged the believers of Galatia to live and walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5). In this, as in all things, you take your cues from the life of Jesus.
A frequent prayer of mine is, “Jesus, teach me your gait.” I often walk with a quicker gait than I observe in others walking. This is in large part because my to-do list is extensive and time is precious to me. If I’m honest, though, there are also times when my hurried pace has more to do with avoiding what I might see if I slowed down.
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with all that needs to change in my household, my community, my city, and the world. I then miss the change I can be part of in the here and now. When I walk by the Spirit, my gaze comes to rest on the people, places and circumstances Jesus invites me to in this present moment. No more, no less.
If you've recently joined NOURISH, Lectio Divina has four parts — lectio (read), meditatio (reflect), oratio (respond), and contemplatio (rest) — and involves the reading of a passage, poem, or prayer four times with periods of silence between each reading.
If you’re new to this practice, you may find it helpful to move through each part in order. Or you may find the stages to be as Fr. Thomas Keating describes: compass points around a circle wherein the Holy Spirit moves you seamlessly between each part.
I will guide you in this 9-minute audio meditation through Matthew 11:28-30 from the Message translation. To listen, click the link in the box below.
