Happy New Year
24 Jan 2025 • From the Vicar
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year!
As if from nowhere, 2025 has well and truly arrived. It’s got nothing to do with perfect vision, although wouldn’t it be fascinating to see the year ahead in all it’s technicolour glory. And of course, I’m sure I’m not the only one who has said repeatedly lately, “Where did 2024 go?” It feels like I blinked in March and then found myself preparing for Christmas, and then trying to find a New Year’s resolution, that I hadn’t previously attempted and failed at.
Maybe, you are the determined type, and after all the indulging at Christmas have easily named your New Year’s resolution and joined the gym, or the ‘Couch to 5K’ running program, or slimming group. Perhaps you will cut down on how much you drink, eat less meat, use less single use plastic, drive less and walk more, watch less telly and talk more, have a physical conversation rather than an emoji back-and-to on your phone. The resolution list is endless, and would you believe, there are even Apps to help you achieve them! But wait… that would mean using your phone… isn’t it tricky!
For those who choose to take up a New Year’s resolution they represent a positive step in trying to improve our life in one way or another, physically or mentally. But what about our looking ahead to the new and improved ways we might consider our spirituality? That part of us that constantly searches for the meaning in life, the purpose for our existence, the ‘more and beyond’ than the present world can offer us, that connection with God…creator of the physical world we experience.
Advent maybe behind us but we should try to hang onto the periods of stillness and quiet that we tried to create in our waiting. Moments of pausing and reflecting on where we have seen God throughout the day, learning to recognise God’s actions in ourselves and others, as well as how we are being blessed.
Spirituality is beyond our physical or material needs, it is an intentionality that feeds our connectedness with God. A simple and effective way of engaging our spirituality is by praying the Daily Examen. Saint Ignatius of Loyola developed the practice of stopping and reflecting on the day, noticing where God has been, praising God and look forward to tomorrow. He believed that this was a gift from God that everyone should experience. If you would like to unwrap this gift post-Christmas, here is a brief guide…
Find a quiet place and sit comfortably
‘1. Become aware of God’s presence. Look back on the events of the day. The day may seem confusing to you—a blur, a jumble, a muddle. Ask God to bring clarity and understanding.
2. Review the day with gratitude. Gratitude is the foundation of our relationship with God. Walk through your day in the presence of God and note its joys and delights. Focus on the day’s gifts. Look at the work you did, the people you interacted with. What did you receive from these people? What did you give them? Pay attention to small things—God is in the details.
3. Pay attention to your emotions. One of St. Ignatius’s great insights was that we detect the presence of the Spirit of God in the movements of our emotions. Reflect on the feelings you experienced during the day. Boredom? Elation? Resentment? Compassion? Anger? Confidence? What is God saying through these feelings?
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to something during the day that God thinks is particularly important. It may involve a feeling—positive or negative. It may be a significant encounter with another person or a vivid moment of pleasure or peace. Or it may be something that seems rather insignificant. Look at it. Pray about it. Allow the prayer to arise spontaneously from your heart—whether intercession, praise, repentance, or gratitude.
5. Look toward tomorrow. Ask God to give you light for tomorrow’s challenges. Pay attention to the feelings that surface as you survey what’s coming up. Allow these feelings to turn into prayer. Seek God’s guidance. Ask God for help and understanding. Pray for hope.
St. Ignatius encouraged people to talk to Jesus like a friend. End the Daily Examen with a conversation withJesus. Ask forgiveness for the things you have got wrong. Ask for his protection and help. Ask for his wisdom about the questions you have and the problems you face. Do all this in the spirit of gratitude. Your life is a gift, and it is adorned with gifts from God.’ www.ignatianspirituality.com
Don’t be shy, if you need help just ask. Equally, let me know your experiences of praying the Examen. If you prefer to be guided through the Daily Examen then there are several Apps available to download.
Yours in Christ,
Jules