Tonight’s Reflection: God, So Here’s What Happened
The Ignatian Examen taught me to look over my day and notice where God was present. Tonight, let’s invite Mary to join us as we bring our joys, struggles, and ordinary moments of our day to her Son.
A Thought to Begin
“Let us ask, at the end of the day… what happened today in my heart?”
—Pope Francis, General Audience, October 19, 2022
Scripture
“Probe me, God, know my heart; try me, know my thoughts.”
Reflection
My days have become so full that many nights, the moment my head hits the pillow, I am out.
That means I have to make a real effort to spend a little time talking with our Heavenly Father before I fall asleep.
Does your nightly routine include a few quiet moments with Him?
I was fortunate to spend many years working at a Jesuit high school. It was there that I learned the beautiful and powerful practice of the Ignatian Examen.
As an entire school community, we would pause near the end of the day and reflect on where God had been present throughout our day.
Those few quiet moments helped me recognize that God had been there through it all—in the people I encountered, the moments that brought joy, the challenges that tested me, and the ordinary details I might otherwise have missed.
What I came to love about the Examen was that it helped me see my day differently.
Instead of ending the day focused only on what went wrong, I began to notice where God had been present, what brought me joy, what remained in my heart, and where He might be inviting me to grow.
It taught me to ask not:
“God, where were You today?”
But rather:
“God, where did I see You today?”
God is always surrounding us. The Examen helps us pause long enough to recognize Him.
When we first began creating Tonight’s Reflection, I knew the Ignatian Examen would be its foundation.
Still, I felt something was missing.
While working on a special reflection for Mary’s birthday, I realized what it was. I realized that Tonight’s Reflection needed to include Mary.
Choose Joy Always is about opening ourselves to the invitations God places before us and not being afraid to answer with a big yes, as Mary teaches us.
Each night, we invite Mary to join us as we look back over our day and bring it to her Son—with all its joys, successes, laughter, tears, struggles, and moments that could have gone better.
I hope that, with Mary beside us, we will become more open to God’s invitation. That we will learn to return to our yes, no matter how our day unfolded. And that, with her help, we will continue learning how to choose joy every day.
Tonight’s Reflection is guided by the wisdom of the Ignatian Examen, but it follows the Choose Joy Always path.
The complete Tonight’s Reflection prayer can be found in The Prayer Room.
What a beautiful way to end our day—with God and our Blessed Mother beside us. Together, we bring it all to her Son.
And tomorrow, with God’s grace, we begin again with another faithful yes.
Something to Think About…
Before you go to sleep tonight, pause and tell God what happened today.
Tonight’s Reflection: Prayer
End the day with a gentle prayer to help you see where God walked with you today, so you can give thanks, ask for forgiveness, and rest in His love.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of this day and for this time I can share with You.
I invite you, my Blessed Mother, to join me.
Together, we will look back over my day—the highs, the lows, and the moments when I felt closest to our loving God.
Blessed Mother, please help me quiet my mind, open my heart, and see my day through the gentle, loving eyes of your Son.
Lord, give me the grace to see my day honestly and grow closer to You.
Pause and reflect on the following.
Where did I notice God’s presence today?
Did I recognize Jesus in the people I met?
Did I notice and give thanks for the moments of joy God placed in my day?
When I became tired or stressed, did I turn toward God, or did I take my feelings out on others?
How did I treat those closest to me—my spouse, my children, my family, and the people I call home?
Did my words, my tone, and my actions help them experience God’s love, or did I take their love for granted?
Did I respond to God with a full yes, following the example of my Mother Mary?
Lord, I am sorry for the moments today when my words or actions did not reflect Your love. Please forgive me and help me do better tomorrow.
Lord, is there a moment from today that lingers in my heart?
It may be one of joy. It may be one that brought worry, sadness, or frustration. It may be something that did not unfold as I had hoped.
Mary, stay with me as I bring this moment to your Son.
Lord, help me receive the joyful moments with gratitude, not pride, and the difficult moments with honesty, not discouragement.
Show me what You are inviting me to learn and how I can use it to grow closer to the person You created me to be.
(If no particular moment comes to mind tonight, help me simply rest with You and be grateful for this day.)
Heavenly Father, I place this day into Your loving hands.
Please give me the grace I need for tomorrow—whether it is peace, courage, patience, trust, compassion, or whatever You know is best for me.
Mary, help me recognize God’s invitation and answer with a faithful yes, following the path you have shown me.
Help me rest in God’s love tonight and begin again with Him tomorrow.
With much love and thanksgiving.
The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known
that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help,
or sought thy intercession
was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence,
I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To thee do I come;
before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.