This final verse in Matthew’s Gospel, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20), comes immediately after Jesus sends his disciples out into the world. I breathe a huge sigh of relief. God is not asking me to go out into the world alone. God will be with me every step of the way, even if I am unaware of God’s presence.
The cliché “you are never given more than you can handle” could describe this promise. However, it is much, much more. Jesus is with us. God is with us. For eternity! There are so many times when we do not feel, or even acknowledge, God’s work and presence with us. Yet God is always there, just waiting for us to turn back.
As we look forward to the celebration
of the Holy Spirit's coming at Pentecost, take time to notice God’s presence in your everyday life and encounters.
Ignatius of Loyola left us with a tool that we can use to notice God’s presence. By praying the Examen daily, we can begin to sense and respond to God. The Examen consists of five steps. I invite you to pray it today.
- Place yourself in God’s presence. Give thanks for God’s great love for
you.
- Ask God to show you how God is acting in your life.
- Review your day—recall specific moments and your feelings at the time.
- Reflect on what you did, said, or thought in those instances. Were you drawing closer to God, or further away?
- Look toward tomorrow—think of how you might collaborate more effectively with God’s plan. Be specific.
