Fr. Manuel M. Flores, SJ
March 20, 2016
We have a deep spiritual instinct and desire during Holy Week: to go deep into the limitless love of Christ.
“Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.” (Jn 13:1)
All have but one desire: to go deep into the limitless love of Christ. This is why we focus on the poor, on penance and on prayer during Holy Week.
Poor: Some do special acts of kindness for the poor in Payatas on the quiet.
Penance: Some give up soft drinks or some source of pleasure during Holy week besides their fasting and abstinence.
Prayer: On Holy Thursday, tens of thousands do the stations of the cross in the mountains of Malasag, and in countless high places in the country.
The key question on prayer is: During Holy Week, how can we pray in a way that allows us to go deep into the limitless love of Christ?
PGH-ER: the daily “Examen” of St. Ignatius
For St Ignatius, the “examen” is the most important of all prayer exercises. He recommends that it be done at the end of the day. But the “examen” may be done many times during the day as Ignatius himself does. Pope Francis taught this to the young Jesuit recruits when He was their novice master.
The examen is an extremely practical prayer method that can be done even while jogging, riding the bus or MRT, driving to the office, or walking home.
The PGH-ER proposed below is adapted from the original Ignatian version.
Presence (1 minute) – “I put myself in the presence of God.” This is Ignatius core understanding of prayer. Without this act of the will, there is no prayer. I put myself before God, creator of trillions of stars, the lord of history, my creator. I put myself in the presence of Him who dies for me, who humbles himself to be with me despite my smallness because he loves me.
Gratitude (1 minute) – “Christ died for our sins.” (1 Cor 15:3). He did this all for ME! I thank Jesus for dying, not just for generic mankind, but particularly for ME!
I also look back at the whole day, to see how Jesus has been with me, blessing me through people, events, opportunities, situations, both in joy and in pain.
Healing (1 minute) – “By His wounds we are healed” (Is 53:5) Throughout the day, I do not always respond lovingly to God and others. I do not always do God’s will. I ask for God’s forgiveness.
Like me, other people are also not God. They do not meet my needs and may offend or hurt me anytime throughout the day. I also forgive others as God forgives me.
Entrusting (1 minute) – “Father into you hands I entrust my spirit” (Lk 23:46) I am a creature. I am not in control, God is. I imitate Jesus’ total surrender to God.
I entrust to the love, power and wisdom of God all my worries and concerns, about my work, the people I love, and those who need my prayers. I can sleep well confident in the loving providence of the Father.
Resolve (1 minute) – “What have I done for Christ. What am I doing for Christ. What will I do for Christ?” Ignatius suggests that we reflect on these questions as we gaze at Jesus on the cross.
Daily I make ONE resolution about how I can love, serve and glorify Jesus MORE. Ignatius teaches that this daily practice of finding even just ONE area for improvement puts me on a path of lifelong growth in my love and service of God.
WARNING! The “Examen” of Ignatius is extremely effective and dangerous! You may find yourself doing it even after Holy Week. It has produced numerous saints and blesseds.
Every day, in every way, you become better and better, as you go ever deeper into the bottomless, limitless love of Christ.
“Faith is the door to heaven, but prayer is the key.” – Pope Francis