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Today we hear John the Baptist echoing “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” This week, we receive the call to turn back to the Lord and reorient our lives to hope, peace, joy, and love during this season of Advent.
So let’s ask ourselves this question: How have our lives steered away from hope, peace, joy and love recently? Where do we need to repent? Here’s an Advent Examen of Conscience to help:
Hope: Maybe we’ve grown discouraged and hopeless over some aspects of our lives that appear to just keep failing to deliver a fruit. Maybe there’s a sense of depression or despair in our mindset. Maybe our hearts are weary from the journey and our trials. Where does hope need to enter into our hearts?
Peace: Maybe we’ve been living in discord with a family member or estranged from a loved one or good friend. Maybe we’re in conflict with someone and not on good speaking terms. Maybe we’re living in a sea of anxiety and worry most of the time. Maybe we don't pray and fast for peace in our world and leave it to our political leaders. Where do we need to reconcile with others or ourselves to live in more peace?
Joy: Maybe we’ve become joyless and agitated. We may not know how to find joy or true happiness and fulfillment. We’re going through the motions each and every day with little joy in our midst. Where have we found joy before and how can we find more of it in our lives, particularly through a life woven with God? How can we more joyfully witness to the Gospel?
Love: Maybe loving some people has become rather difficult, whether our marriage, children, people in our families, or others. Maybe the call to love our neighbor in other areas of our life has sat dormant and we really haven’t followed it. Where does love need to increase and expand in our lives? Where have we been ignoring the call to love wider and deeper?
This Advent, may we clear the obstacles to receiving God’s grace so that we can become more hopeful, peaceful, joyous, and loving as we prepare for Christ’s second coming.
Katie Zalany lives in Cleveland Ohio. She is a Third Order Secular Franciscan (OFS), spiritual director, benefits/wellness leader, certified health and life coach, and volunteer. She is the creator of the ministry Women in Waiting | Made for Fruitfulness and is a published author. Her writing interests and focus areas include Gospel reflections, Franciscan spirituality, women's spirituality, prayer, and integration of faith and daily living.
