A Practice for Spiritual Growth

The scriptures this week can be set within the context of the Examen of Ignatius of Loyola, a daily practice that invites us to review our day in light of God’s presence, mercy, and empowerment. In the passage from Luke, some men with a skin disease request that Jesus help them, but after all ten of them are healed only one returns to give gratitude to Jesus. The psalmist reviews some of the history of the Hebrew people and recollects times of fire and water. The letter to Timothy reminds the church of the importance of repentance and the approval (forgiveness) of God. The prophet Jeremiah speaks to the Hebrew people while in exile in Babylon and encourages them to cooperate with God in living into a new day in God’s plan of salvation.

• Read Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7. When was the last time you looked upon tomorrow as a new day filled with new possibilities?
• Read Psalm 66:1-12. When have you taken the time to think back upon the last 24 hours and recognized sins in your life, or when you failed to notice God?
• Read 2 Timothy 2:8-15. Have there been times when, in the midst of a hardship or after a time of falling into sin, you have felt “approved” by God?
• Read Luke 17:11-19. Are there times when you have received a gift from God but failed to give God thanks?