Scripture
John 17: 11b-19
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying:
“Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.”
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
Handing Over Power to God
“Holy Father, protect them… so that they may be one, as we are one.” John 17:11b
One of the most refreshing parts of walking alongside people active in recovery from substances is their clear resolve that God is in charge. “God’s got it” is a refrain I’m picking up - I don’t have the power, but I do have the ability to ask God to step in and help. In today’s Gospel, it’s good to know Jesus predicted this human folly - that we’d forget our deep connection - our oneness - with God. As I trudge through the Spiritual Exercises myself, this insight keeps coming up: my efforts to control things in my life lead me to being uptight, stressed out and exhausted. Instead, spending a little time each day relating to the God who does have the power is the path to having a “joy made complete”.
What can I admit I’m powerless over today - and how can God help?
—Shelly Roder serves as Regional Director of the Ignatian Spirituality Project and with God’s help, she’ll finish the 19th annotation someday.
Ignatian Prayer
May 20, 2026
Prayer
God, I’m stuck and I’m tired. I give up, I need you. Please help. Help me to find a way. Amen.
—Shelly Roder
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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