Reflection

"Recognise the need and value in every person"

Saints Mary and Joseph Cathedral Parish

Weekend Mass Times:

Saturday Vigil - 6pm

Sunday - 8am, 10 am and 5.30 pm

Reflection

Today we celebrate the Feast Day of St Ignatius of Loyola. St. Ignatius thought that the Daily Examen was a gift that came directly from God, and that God wanted it to be shared as widely as possible. The Daily Examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern his direction for us. The Examen is an ancient practice in the Church that can help us see God’s hand at work in our whole experience.

Below is a version of the five-step Daily Examen that St. Ignatius practiced.

Try it for yourself.

Presence

The more we call on God

the more we can feel God's presence.

Day by day we are drawn closer

to the loving heart of God.

Freedom

Many countries are at this moment suffering the agonies of war.

I bow my head in thanksgiving for my freedom.

I pray for all prisoners and captives.

Consciousness

To be conscious about something is to be aware of it. Dear Lord help me to remember that You gave me life. Thank you for the gift of life. Teach me to slow down, to be still and enjoy the pleasures created for me. To be aware of the beauty that surrounds me. The marvel of mountains, the calmness of lakes, the fragility of a flower petal. I need to remember that all these things come from you.

The Word of God

Matthew 13:44-46

‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Conversation

Dear Lord help me to be always

aware of the important things in life.

To care for those around me.

To seek your presence in all I meet.

Conclusion

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.