An encounter with Jesus is a moment in which we can see or hear Him at work in our lives. It may be through a sacrament or in reflecting on the Word of God; it may be in an act of love or charity on our part or that of another person; it may be in a quiet moment of prayer; it may be a moment of grace contemplating creation. With this in mind, here are two questions to consider throughout Lent:
When and where do I encounter Jesus Christ in my life?
How do I share these moments of encounter with others?
“When you get touched by the joy of the love of God, you desire to share this joy.”
As disciples, we have a lifelong mission to share the love and joy of God AND to invite others to encounter His son. But in the busyness of daily life, it may not be easy to recall where and when God has been present. Here is one way to do that:
The Examen Prayer – actively pray for a greater awareness of God’s presence in your life and for the courage and wisdom you need to share that with others. Using any version of St. Ignatius’ Daily Examen is a great first step in realizing God’s presence in your life.
Sharing good news with someone, like the birth of a child or a promotion at work, is not difficult to do. But sharing the joy of our faith? It can feel challenging, but sharing could help someone else in ways we do not know. Here are two ways to make it easier:
1. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you when to make a small reference to something that might open the door for a friend or family member, like the surprising way God showed up for you recently (maybe in the help of others, a sense of peace in prayer, etc.).
2. Remember the acronym K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple and Small. What you share doesn’t have to be long, elaborate or miraculous. Simple is good. Small is good. God will take care of the rest.
Try praying the Examen and practicing the “K.I.S.S.” form of sharing throughout Lent, then return to the two questions above. Perhaps you will see a change in your answers!
