February 26, 2023, 12:00 PM

Metanoia means to change our lives through penance and spiritual conversion. The Church recommends we use the Lenten Season to transfigure ourselves through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Lent is a time to do some “spiritual spring cleaning.” We need to take down the cobwebs, beat the rugs, and wash the windows. An excellent prayer practice is to take 10 minutes each evening and perform an Examen, an examination of conscience, a daily check in with God. The St. Ignatius of Loyola Spiritual Exercises provide five steps for an Examen. First, become aware of God’s presence. Think back over the day and look for the Hand of God in the activities of the day. Second, review the day with gratitude. “In all circumstances, give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Be thankful for all the good as well as the trials. These refining fires help us rid ourselves of the impurities of life. Third, pay attention to emotions. Think about what God is saying through our emotions. Fourth, choose one feature of the day. Ask the Holy Spirit to point to something that God thinks is particularly important for metanoia. Pray about it. Fifth, look toward tomorrow. Ask God to provide light for tomorrow’s challenges. Seek His guidance; ask for help and understanding; pray for hope. End the Examen by talking with Jesus as if He was a best friend—He is! Fr. Dennis Hamm likens a daily Examen to “rummaging for God,” like “going through a drawer full of stuff, feeling around, looking for something that you are sure must be there.” Rummage through the day—God is there somewhere. He is ready to help us change our hearts, to experience metanoia, to be more Christ-like. Now you know!