DAY 19: LET'S FLY!—FIVE MOMENTS OF THE EXAMEN PRAYER (5/5)

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n day nineteen of the Season of Creation and the fifth moment of the Examen prayer, we are invited to a surrendering attitude. There are two options: first is for all human beings and the second is, specifically, for the Christian world.

V. SURRENDER (5/5): It is good also to guard against two exaggerations. First is self-rejection—the greatest enemy of the spiritual life which contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the ‘Beloved’ (Henri Nouwen). Second is self-glorification—the greatest temptation which turns a person to become lukewarm and self-entitled. The antidote to these two extremes is to be captivated by the beauty and mystery of nature in which one is integrally connected. To be captivated means to surrender and to forget ego. Shakespeare writes, "My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite" (W Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet—Act 2, Scene 1). In this case we become what we have given and taken up. With every act of surrender come loving deeds that overflow from the act. Pope Francis adds an eighth work of mercy to care for our common home, first, as a spiritual work—"gratefully contemplating God’s world” (Laudato Si', 214) which “allows us to discover in each thing a teaching which God wishes to hand on to us” (ibid., 85), second, as a corporal work—“simple daily gestures which break with the logic of violence, exploitation and selfishness... every[day] action that seeks to build a better world” (ibid., 230-31).

After getting a free lift from one thermal, a bird glides off to arrive at its destination “con grande animo,” with a big and magnanimous spirit ready-to-hand. This final part of the examen (also a new beginning) is a form of balancing, forward-looking and being led in the spirit of faith, hope, and self-surrendering love towards God’s ever greater love. Divine love is sufficient in life’s everydayness and everreadyness. I ask myself, “Where is this love leading me to stop, start, sustain or surrender after receiving God’s ever greater and unending love?” Amen.

FIFTH MOMENT FOR THE CHRISTIAN WORLD

V. SURRENDER (5/5): It is good also to guard against two exaggerations. First is self-rejection—the greatest enemy of the spiritual life which contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the ‘Beloved’ (Henri Nouwen). Second is self-glorification—the greatest temptation which turns a person to become lukewarm and self-entitled. In Matthew’s parable of the talents, the lazy and lukewarm are some of the most wretched of the damned (Mt 25:14-30). They are grounded or prohibited to fly. One of the promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is for lukewarm hearts and souls to become fervent, impassioned, or burning. We are not called to be lukewarm but to be either hot or cold (Rev 3:15-17), i.e., to a discerning and self-surrendering love of the Giver who is the source of life, consolations, good gifts and talents received. St Augustine said “My love is my weight.” Love alone is what bears weight in heaven; everything else is vanity or without weight. This is linked to the true meaning of Ignatian “magis” or “more,” which does not mean ‘many’ but ‘much’ in relation to God who is always ‘more’ (Deus semper major). The human spirit is inflamed by God’s ever greater love first and then the deeds will overflow from it. After getting a free lift from one thermal, a bird glides off to arrive at its destination “con grande animo,” with a big and magnanimous spirit ready-to-hand. This final part of the examen (also a new beginning) is a form of balancing, forward-looking and being led in the spirit of faith, hope, and self-surrendering love towards God’s ever greater love. Divine love is the “one thing necessary” (Lk 10:42) which is sufficient in life’s everydayness and everreadyness. I ask myself, “Where is this love leading me to stop, start, sustain or surrender after receiving God’s ever greater and unending love?” Amen. 8thWorker.us