I sure needed this post and the one below it today ... *sigh* ... Thank you Jesus, for always walking with me.

Daily Examination 

This is a simple daily exercise of paying attention to God’s activity in your life. 

Ignatian Daily Examination of Conscience 

An important Spiritual Discipline is to take a few moments at the end of each day and recall where you saw God’s gracious activity in your life in the day. This is an ancient and simple method of helping you call to mind what you have seen, heard, understood, tasted and touched of God in the day that is drawing to a close. It is a way to help you pay attention. Take the last few minutes of your day – as you lie in bed – or as you kneel to pray before going to bed, or in the morning before you start your day and …

1. Thank God for the gift of life this day and for all the blessings of life.

2. Ask for grace and guidance to recognize His work in your life this day and to see your transgressions and sin.

3. Slowly review the day -- hour by hour, in sections of the day – morning, afternoon and evening or interaction by interaction etc.. Don’t be too obsessive!

*Wherever you saw God in your day – say “thank you”.
* Wherever you were sinful or non-responsive to His presence – say “I am sorry”.

4. Finally, ask for God’s grace of healing in one particular area in which you need transformation.

It would be best if this was the same thing night after night -- this will keep you attentive to His work in this area and will keep you focused.

This should not take you more that a few minutes. If things come up which you want to explore more thoroughly – write them down and prayerfully explore them in the morning.

I certainly needed this today ... Forgive me, God, for my impatience ...

How is your Lent coming along? If it hasn't been that good, then start again! Have you done something that is truly out of the ordinary for you? Like they say, have you gone outside of your "box"? Don't be afraid to get out there and do something ... you may never know the impact but I will bet it will make a difference for someone!

Light a candle
Offer a Mass
Walk the sidewalk in front of an abortion clinic
Smile
Attend a weekday Mass
Become a Lector or Eucharistic Minister
Visit the sick
Make a meal for someone
Go to the Stations of the Cross

There are so many more small things that you can do!! Bless you for doing them!!

Pray for us ... 

5 Hardcore Things to Give up for Lent

Lent, you’ve no doubt given some thought to what you want to give up. Rather than taking the path of least resistance, why not consider going all out and giving up something completely ridiculous this year?

The following fasts may not be for the faint of heart, but for those of you who are willing to try them, you may just find yourselves more disciplined, and better prepared to celebrate the joys of Easter.

1) Hot Showers

Nothing says, “Die!” to your flesh quite like showering in 50 degree water.

Not only will your body be subjugated to your higher, spiritual faculties, but you’ll also save money on your water bill since you won’t be hanging out in the shower for as long as you normally would. Win-win!

2) Sleeping in Bed

Get out your old sleeping bag, or the Therm-a-rest pad you use when camping, and get your forty winks on the cold, hard floor.

The discalced Carmelites do it year round. You can do it for at least forty days.

3) All Social Media

It’s one thing to give up Instagram. It’s another thing to give up all of your social media. So say goodbye to Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Pinterest.

Do you really want to get drawn into another pointless political argument with your uncle anyway?

4) Netflix

Devote some of the time you would spend binge-watching old shows on Netflix to praying and reading Sacred Scripture! You won’t be missing much.

Besides, the next season of Stranger Things doesn’t start until October 31, 2017, and by then you’ll have plenty of time to renew your membership.

5) Caffeinated Beverages

Take the $4.75 you’re dropping every day on your Venti white chocolate mocha, and give it to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, or some other charity. While you’re at it, why not just give up all drinks that have caffeine in them? Your central nervous system will appreciate it, and so will the poor in your community.

Giving up these things may be crazy, but think about what Christ gave up for you! By giving until it hurts, you’ll better identify with His suffering, and enter more deeply into the mystery of His passion, death, and resurrection. You can do it!