Saturday 18 November 2023

Today is Saturday 18 November, in the 32nd week of Ordinary time.

Welcome to the Saturday Examen.

On Wednesday of this week we heard how, of ten lepers who were healed by Jesus, only one returned to thank him.


I use this account as a prompt for today’s examen.

The Examen invites me to get in touch with a FELT gratitude first. For what do I actually FEEL thankful?

Take a moment to breathe in God’s love.

Notice: for what do I feel thankful right now? . . .


I remember what this is. I savour it . . . I breathe it in deeply . . . I give God thanks.

Can I now call to mind nine further things in the gift of my life that I am thankful for right now? I thank God for each of them, counting them off on my fingers, as a child.

I finish with ten and my hands are completely open. I raise them to praise the God of all Gifts . . . Thank you!

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.