A fixed focus on the persistent presence of God is central to the piety Jesus speaks of in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus introduces his message on spirituality in Matt. 6 by urging us to consider our audience. Too many of us, Jesus warns, think only of “other people in order to be seen by them” rather than concentrating on our “Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 6:1). Throughout his message, Jesus contrasts this audience of One with the audience of many whom some in Jesus’ day sought to impress with inflated acts of piety. But God, Jesus teaches, is always present and is to be the only spectator with whom we are concerned.
Thus, when we “give to the needy” in order to honor God, we recognize our “Father who sees in secret” (Matt. 6:4 ESV). When we pray in order to commune with God, we acknowledge our “Father who sees in secret” (Matt. 6:6 ESV). And when we fast in order to draw nearer to God, we accept the attendance of a “Father who sees in secret” (Matt. 6:18 ESV).
Jesus speaks often in this message about the “reward” of spirituality (Matt. 6:1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 16, 18). He suggests that piety is at its most rewarding when we experience God as a constant companion and an enduring escort. Even when we are “in secret” (or, especially when we are “in secret”) the Father is present and aware of all we are doing. He never forgets us. He is never oblivious of us. The primary problem Jesus addresses is that we are often just the opposite. We do forget God. We are oblivious of him. This leads us to then seek feedback from the only audience of which we are aware, the people around us. But Jesus calls us back to a devotion which is grounded in the soil of one vital reality—God is at hand.
The Examen is a simple and structured way to live into this reality. It is a means by which we can remember and experience the companionship of God throughout the day. Twice or three times a day we pause all other activity and attend to the God who walked with us each moment of the day.
David Fleming provides a wonderfully simple translation of the Examen.[1] Take ten minutes right now and fall back into the arms of the one who’s never left your side.
God, thank you.
I thank you, God, for always being with me, but especially I am grateful that you are with me right now.
God, send your Holy Spirit upon me.
God, let the Holy Spirit enlighten my mind and warm my heart that I may know where and how we have been together this day.
God, let me look at my day.
God, where have I felt your presence, seen your face, heard your word this day? God, where have I ignored you, run from you, perhaps even rejected you this day?
God, let me be grateful and ask forgiveness.
God, I thank you for the times this day we have been together and worked together. God, I am sorry for the ways that I have offended you by what I have done or what I did not do.
God, stay close.
God, I ask that you draw me ever closer to you this day and tomorrow. God, you are the God of my life—thank you.
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[1] David L. Fleming, What is Ignatian Spirituality? (Loyola Press, 2008), 21-22.
