Examen and Consolations: Prayer Opens Our Eyes

St. Teresa of Avila taught that

If we fail to see the gifts God sends,

we may never be inspired to love Him.

Consolation:

Increase in faith, hope, and/or love. 

Heart inflamed with love of God. 

Drawn to heavenly things.

Peace, joy, gratitude. 

Tears of love, gratitude, or sorrow for sin.

I came across this quote again, and it brings to mind what a soul-changer it has been for me —and for others —to learn to recognize CONSOLATION—its movements in time of mental prayer, in other devotions, and throughout our day.  I find that with frequent dryness and chronic illness, it can be easy to get bogged down and miss God’s Presence, but learning all about consolation really opens our eyes.   Our confidence in His constant Presence grows as we embrace Him in times of consolation, and cling to Him in faith in times of desolation; this will give us wings of faith and trust, when all is shaken, and we are left holding onto sheer belief in His Presence, as He withdraws sensibly in the passive nights and reveals Himself in new ways…

Learning the rhythms of consolation and desolation as a part of the growing-in-holiness process is really life-changing.  Learning to SEE God – what an incredible grace of the discernment of spirits!  

The better we recognize consolation when it comes, the longer we might prolong it and encourage more by expressing our humble gratitude and resting in it.

Imagined possibilities… How about that time meditating on the Father of the Prodigal Son when your heart expanded ten times in the love and embrace of the Heavenly Father.  When the words “Jesus wept” grabbed your heart and flooded tears as you felt the understanding, the compassion, the Presence of God Who is Love and who knows what you are going through.  The time the mere word “mercy” moved your heart in compassion, repentance, and forgiveness for a relationship that’s been heavy on your heart.  The time when your whole body felt permeated with love and joy beyond words, sending your heart soaring in prayers of gratitude.  The time your intercessory prayer lit up with the strongest faith, compassion, and fervor for a person.  The time Jesus’ gaze at you in the Blessed Sacrament filled you with such joy, you thought you’d die of love.  The time you came to prayer with a heavy heart, reflected on the Psalms, and were filled with peace and felt renewed.  Or the time you received a phone call from a friend or stumbled upon a quote with the wisdom, comfort, and encouragement you needed at that moment.  

There are so many ways the Lord touches us if we but open our eyes to see.  He is alive and active!  See and believe!

In the Apostoli Viae Discernment of Spirits course with Dan and Stephanie Burke and Fr. Timothy Gallagher, he says that consolation is MORE than just a feeling, it is passively purifying us in FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE, strengthening us for upcoming crosses.  So, let God really love you deeply.  Soak it all up with humble gratitude!

Desolation clouds out all that and makes God seem absent — that’s when we pull out our DOS tools and work our way out of the storm.

I’ve been blessed – have YOU been blessed?