What does it mean to awaken?

In the Gospel from today's mass, Jesus tells the disciples to stay awake:

Gospel
Lk 12:35-38

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Gird your loins and light your lamps
and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding,
ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
Blessed are those servants
whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.
Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,
have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
And should he come in the second or third watch
and find them prepared in this way,
blessed are those servants.”

We might ask ourselves what he means? It seems to go without saying that Jesus is talking about more than being literally awake. He does not expect us to become insomniacs, but rather, to be awake and aware to his presence in all the ways that he becomes manifest to us, in particular, in the person who is poor, hungry, lonely, grieving, imprisoned, marginalized, etc. While we might have the sensitivity to perceive Jesus' presence in the other on a good day, the difficulty is when we are figuratively "asleep"-- consumed with our own agendas, in an impatient rush, fragmented by our anxieties. It takes practice to be be awake and pay attention despite all these tendencies, and this is how practices like the Ignatian Examen of Consciousness can be a help. By paying attention to our experience and reflecting on our day, we can gradually become more reflective IN ACTION... less prone to getting caught asleep.

IGNATIAN EXAMEN OF CONSCIOUSNESS

In this brief prayer period, I have an opportunity to take stock of my experience in relation to my relationships and my work. I am looking for signs of God’s presence, and a sense of where I need to focus some attention for the sake of my personal growth and my greater responsiveness to those in need. In order to do this, I set aside 15 minutes once or twice a day for this reflective prayer.

Grace to pray for: I seek to have the grace of praising God for the things I am grateful for, and I ask God for freedom from any fears and attachments that are obstacles to my growth in love and availability to others.

First, I spend some time quietly coming into awareness of God’s presence with me. I do this by becoming aware of the sensations in my body, of my breathing, and of the feelings I have at this moment. God is here with me and I continue with a humble confidence in God’s loving care for me.

Lights: What are the “lights” of my experience for which I feel gratitude to God? Where have I experienced consolation… growth in faith, hope, and love? Where was I charged up with energy, excitement, and life? When did I feel the quiet but unmistakable peace and joy of being in harmony with God? Is there someone who has helped me to experience Christ today? Am I aware of embodying the Spirit of Christ through my being, knowing, and doing?

Pray for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit: I know that God calls me into the fullness of life. In the light of God’s love for me, I can become more aware of my shadows and the ways that I might continue to grow in freedom from fear. I notice these shadows without judgment, but only that I might grow in self-knowledge and in compassion for others.

Shadows: Where have I experienced desolation, a sense of diminished faith, hope, or love? Where have I experienced discouragement or a sense of paralyzing sadness? Have there been times when I felt out of step with Jesus, in disharmony with God? Have there been times when I have felt resistance to serving the people who present their needs to me? Where have I experienced emotions like ingratitude, envy, or a tendency to judge? Am I aware of habits or patterns that call for transformation through some personal attention and the work of grace?

Resolution: Where do I need to grow in grace? What can I do, practically speaking, to cooperate with God in this area of growth?

Conclusion: Spend a few moments conversing with Jesus as you would a close friend, sharing your experience of the prayer time. Be careful to listen to his response before closing with the Our Father.

Adapted from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola by David McCallum, S.J.