Scripture
Matthew 18: 15-20
Jesus said to his disciples:
“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Ignatian Reflection
Jesus in Our Midst
For years I’ve begun my day with the Jesuit Prayer app, but today I became mindful of the “two or three gathered” with me around phones or computer screens to read the daily scripture, reflect and pray. We’re accustomed to gathering in church communities with fellow “pray-ers” we can see, so it’s easy to take for granted how technology is able to unite our prayer with a world-wide community of God’s holy people.
This Gospel passage describes a gathering around Jesus to listen to his teaching. That ancient gathering around Jesus has grown and now includes you and me gathered together, via technology, to listen to Jesus.
Today, as you pray around your device or screen, be mindful of your brothers and sisters in this Jesuit Prayer community joining you from all over the world and taking time in their day—just like you—to focus on the Word and on Jesus. Let us give thanks for Jesuit Prayer and other ways technology helps us grow our faith. Then let us remember that whenever and wherever we gather to pray—in our homes, in our churches and online—Jesus is in our midst. Thanks be to God.
—Diane Amento Owens was introduced to Ignatian spirituality in 2009 through the Midwest Jesuits’ annual Lenten Morning of Reflection. She offers spiritual direction with an Ignatian lens and is the author of Walking with Jesus to Jerusalem: A Lenten Pilgrimage of Hope.
Ignatian Prayer
Aug 12, 2026
Prayer
May we draw closer to you, O God, through our individual prayer and daily acts of service. May we also be mindful of our brothers and sisters around the world, and blend our voices and connect our hearts in prayer. May we agree that peace is the way, may we pray for peace, and each day may we be responsible for bringing a small slice of peace into the world around us. Help us focus on what unites us more than what separates us. Amen.
—Diane Amento Owens
The Daily Examen is a prayer technique developed by St. Ignatius to help us reflect on the events of the day to discern God's presence and direction. When Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus, he required the Jesuits to practice the Examen twice daily—at noon and at the end of the day. It's a habit that Jesuits, and many other Christians, practice to this day.
The Examen structure presented below is adapted from a technique described by Ignatius Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises. Click here for more information from our partners in ministry at Loyola Press.
Daily Examen
1. Become aware of God's presence
God, I believe that at this moment I am in your presence and you are loving me.
2. Review the day with gratitude
God, you know my needs better than I know them. Give me your light and your help to see how you have been with me, both yesterday and today.
3. Pay attention to your emotions
God, help me to be grateful for the moments when people have affirmed me and challenged me. Help me to see how I have responded, and whether I have been kind to others and open to growth.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it
God, forgive me for when I have not done my best or have failed to treat others well. Encourage me, guide me, and continue to bless me.
5. Look toward tomorrow
As I look to the remainder of this day, make me aware that you are with me. Show me how to be the person you want me to be.
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