AFMIX Spiritual Exercises Book

S3 S1: Opening Session

Session Overview

A Brief Introduction To The Spiritual Exercises

The Spiritual Exercises, which grew out of the personal experience of Ignatius, are the foundation of Ignatian Spirituality and of Ignatius’ ‘way of proceeding’ in all his decision making.

A general overview of the Exercises: In his pre-notes (“annotations”) to the Exercises, Ignatius comments: “spiritual exercises are good for increasing openness to the movement of the Holy Spirit, for helping to bring to light the darkness of …… sinful tendencies within ourselves, and for strengthening and supporting us in the effort to respond ever more faithfully to the love of God.” (S.E. #1) In short, the purpose of the Exercises is that through a variety of prayer experiences an individual will be open to a conversion of heart and mind so that s/he may respond to Jesus with greater faith, love, and freedom. One of the hallmarks of Ignatian spirituality is the belief that God can be found in all things (people, events, creation). Ignatius believed God is encountered at every moment of our existence. The Spiritual Exercises present various methods to help an individual become more and more aware of the ever-present God. If a person is willing, s/he can become a contemplative in action, a person who is alert and responsive to God’s presence in all daily activities. 

The Exercises are divided into four ‘weeks’. But since this is simply a method of division, it may be easier to understand this as four sections or parts that together form the whole experience. 

Part 1: Within the context of God’s unconditional love, we reflect on all creation –all that is- as a gift from God. Then we reflect on our response to those gifts; how we use them. If we allow any of them to become an end in themselves, we are abusing the gift. Within this context, we reflect on sin – both personal and communal. The ‘grace’ (or the gift) prayed for during this part is to accept the fact that I am a loved sinner. God’s unconditional love for me is not affected by the way I respond to the gifts that 
surround me. 

Part 2: Begins with the incarnation of Jesus and guides us through his public ministry. The grace sought at this time is ‘to know, love, and imitate Jesus.’ Through this knowledge and love, we are moved to labor with him.

Part 3: We consider the events that surround the suffering and death of Jesus. We desire a deeper appreciation of the suffering and rejection Jesus experienced out of love for me. Part of being human is to suffer; how do I respond to my suffering in the context of the suffering of Jesus?

Part 4: The final section begins with the resurrection of Jesus and considers how this event and his message continue to the present day. We pray to rejoice with Jesus who has triumphed over death and hatred and to encounter him who is always present to console and encourage us.

During the final meditation of the Exercises, we seek an appreciation of how God not only gives us all creation, but dwells within it and constantly labors through it, inviting us into a deeper personal relationship each day.

What follows in this book is a brief overview of the entire Spiritual Exercises. The sessions are arranged 
in the order of the Exercises. The purpose here is to invite an individual into a personal experience of 
reflection and prayer.

Question For Discussion

Who is God for me? Discuss images, concepts, and understandings of God.
 

The Examen

“God who is mighty has done great things for me; holy is God’s name.” -Luke 1:49.
This approach to the Examen is a simple five step reflection on the day within the context of gratitude.

Recall

I pause and recall I am in the presence of God, as I always am at every moment of my existence. I take some moments to enjoy this presence, this mutual friendship we share.

Reflect

I ask God for the insight to see myself as God sees me. I am loved by God with an “everlasting love.” Nothing I do can ‘win over’ or ‘merit’ this love. It is a totally free gift from God – always present, waiting for me to respond.

Review

I review the day seeing each moment – hour by hour – as a gift, and I respond in gratitude for each of these moments.
        The love and support I have received.
        The various people I have encountered.
        The challenges I have faced.
        The beauty of nature, the variety of creation.
        Where has God been present in my life during this day?
        Did I experience moments of peace and contentment?

Response

I consider my response within each moment throughout the day.
        How did I respond to these gifts?
        Did I recognize God’s presence in each of these gifts?
        Did I miss the opportunity to respond in a positive manner?
        What moved me to act the way I did?
        Did I take these gifts for granted? Do I feel they are ‘owed’ to me?
        Am I grateful that I am invited to participate with God in the ongoing work of creation?

Resolve

I envision how to integrate my realization of God’s love and gifts.
        What attitude do I want to carry with me tomorrow?
        What one specific gift (person, event, etc.) will I focus on tomorrow and respond with gratitude?
        Is there a particular way I can be a source of encouragement and support tomorrow?

Links to Additional Quotes

• Mary, Mother of God Quotes
• Gratitude Quotes
• Grandeur of God/Beauty of the Earth Quotes

Video Reflections

- example

Postscript

A suggested general way to approach sessions of reflection/prayer:

(Arriving at a regular time and a quiet place to reflect/pray will take a little experimenting. Try a few different times of day and various locations until you are comfortable. Choose a time and place where distractions are at a minimum so you can relax and focus on your thoughts and feelings as you give your attention to and respond to the ideas presented.)

RELAX: Before you begin to read just take a few moments to relax. Sit for a while in a comfortable chair and allow your mind and your body to unwind. You might try just closing your eyes for a few minutes to remove visual stimulation and think of some pleasant scene or experience. Don’t rush! Give yourself a few minutes to release whatever tensions you may have. Your mind –and heart– is more open and fertile when you are relaxed so you will be better equipped to receive the Spirit if you invest just a few minutes relaxing.

READ: Now you are ready to read. If this is the first time you are looking at the Session, you may find it helpful to review the entire session so you get an overview of the focus/theme. Then, go back to the beginning. Again, it is important that you take your time. Allow yourself enough time that you will not have to hurry. This is not a speed reading exercise. It is designed to be a helpful, encouraging, supportive experience. Slowly digest the words. Understand what you read. Ask yourself: “What does this have to say to me?” Have your Bible close at hand so it will be available when you want it.

THINK: After you have read for a few minutes, spend a few moments to consider what you have been reading. It sometimes helps to talk to yourself about the ideas being presented or to paraphrase the text for yourself. A good idea is to keep your book open to the blank journal page with a pen nearby. You may want to write in your own words what you have read…or how you are feeling at this particular time, or an interesting thought that has crossed your mind. The more you jot down thoughts and apply ideas to your own life, the more important this book and this experience will be to you. If a particular quote or 
scripture reference does not appeal to you, move on to another one. These do not have to be followed in the order they are presented. Tomorrow you may find it helpful to look back at a selection you passed over today.

APPLY: Consider ways to put the ideas into practice in your own life. Use those ideas as soon as possible: share them with friends, family members, and especially with those in your group. But, most important, think of specific ways to use them to affect your life. Write your plan on the journal page in your book. The more specific your plan and the more clearly you apply the ideas to your own life, the more this experience will take on a personal meaning for you.

BE SELECTIVE: Do not strain at application. Many of the ideas presented here will have specific meaning and application for you, others may not. Do not force yourself into attempting to apply all of the ideas presented to your life. Look over all the selections, then be selective. Tomorrow an idea may strike you in a different manner than it does today; come back to it then. Remember: this is your reflection time. If a selection helps, stick with it for as long as you are comfortable. If a selection leaves you empty and nonresponsive, move on. Come back to it another day if you have the desire. You do not need to cover a 
specific amount of material during this time.

It’s good to recall that specific action or goals have to apply to the present before they are realistic. Either regretting the past or dreaming of the future is useless unless you are willing to live actively and responsibly in the present. Try to be specific in your plans and in the notes you write on the journal page.

If on a given day you cannot make application of the readings for that session, try writing an inspirational 
thought of your own.