Lenten Message from JPIC

In this time of Lent,  the JPIC-Laudato Si Community enjoins you to participate in an Ignatian Examen for reconciliation with God, Creation and Humanity.  This is is a tool for prayer, reflection and action to deepen one’s to care for creation and the most vulnerable.  In this time of Lent,  this Ecological examen  invites  you to reflect on your personal relationship with creation , to acknowledge and amend our ways and to promote ecological justice by standing in solidarity with those most impacted by environmental harm.  

To find out more about the Ignation Examen, www.jesuit.org and www.ecologicalexamen.org

Here are some texts that I took from the Ignation Examen cards and a final prayer form the workbook:

Ignatian Examen (prayer card)

1)  I give thanks to God for creation and for being wonderfully made.

            (Where did I feel God’s presence in creation today?)

2)  I ask the grace to see creation as God does – in all its splendor and suffering;

            (Do I see the beauty of creation and hear the cries of the earth and the poor?)

3) I ask for the grace to look closely to see how my life choices impact creation and the poor and vulnerable;

            (What challenges or joys do I experience as I recall my care for creation?  How can I turn away from a throw away culture and instead stand in solidarity with creation and the poor?

4) I ask for the grace of conversion towards ecological justice and reconciliation;

            (Where have I fallen short in caring for creation and my brothers and sisters?  How do I ask for a conversion of heart?

5)  I ask for the grace to reconcile my relationship with God, creation and humanity, and to stand in solidarity through my acdtions.

            (How can I repair my relationship with creation and make choices consistent with my desire for reconciliation and creation?

A Prayer for the Earth:

All powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures.

You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.

Pour out upon us the power of your love that we may protect life and beauty. 

Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one.

O God of the poor, 

help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,

so precious in your eyes.

Bring healing to our lives,

that we may protect the world and not prey on it, 

that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.

Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain

at the expense of the poor and the earth.

Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, 

to be filled with awe and contemplation ,

to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature

as we journey towards your infinite light.

We thank you for being with us each day.

Encourage us, as we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace.

(Laudato Si, n. 246)