ECOLOGICAL EXAMEN

Pause and be still.

Resolve to set aside this time for an examination of conscience.

Concentrate on your own interior life.

Aim to be as an honest and truthful to yourself as you can.

The Examen is prayer - a conversation with God.

Begin by acknowledging yourself to be in the presence of God. God is always present to us.

1.        I give thanks to God for creation and for being wonderfully made.

Where did I feel God's presence in creation today?

2.        I ask for the grace to see creation as God does - in all its splendour and suffering.

Do I see the beauty of creation and hear the cries of the earth and the poor?

3.        I ask for the grace to look closely to see how my l choices creation and the poor and vulnerable.

What challenges or joys do I experience as I recall my care for creation?

How can I turn away from the throwaway culture and instead stand in solidarity with creation and the poor?

4.        I ask for the grace of conversion towards ecological justice and reconciliation.

Where have I fallen short in caring for creation and my brothers and sisters?

How do I ask for a conversion of heart?

5.        I ask for the grace to reconcile my relationship with God, creation and humanity, and to stand in solidarity through my actions.

How can I repair my relationship with creation and make choices consistent with my desire for reconciliation with creation?

6. I offer a closing prayer for the earth and the vulnerable in our society.