The Examen begins with asking God for light and thanking God for all our gifts. In case you imagine that you do the thanks in a second, take the assessment below and score yourself. Then you can go on to examine whether you are living as St. Paul urged the Thessalonians to live:  “Rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess 5:16.)

I feel at times that what I have comes from the love of God, directly and personally.    

6 never   5 rarely    4 monthly    3 weekly    2 daily    1 steadily all the time                 

I sometimes remind myself how fortunate I am to have the privileges and opportunities I have.

6 never   5 rarely    4 monthly    3 weekly    2 daily    1 steadily all the time                 

I stop to notice and to acknowledge the gift of being called by Christ in the Church.

6 never   5 rarely    4 monthly    3 weekly    2 daily    1 steadily all the time                 

I feel very thankful, when I think of it, for my degree of physical health.

6 never   5 rarely    4 monthly    3 weekly    2 daily    1 steadily all the time                 

I am grateful for those the Lord put in my life and, for the most part, I love them.

6 not at all    5 not much    4 somewhat    3 plenty   2 quite a lot   1 very much                    

I am happy that I believe in heaven and am glad to feel bound to prepare for it.

6 not at all    5 not much    4 somewhat    3 plenty   2 quite a lot   1 very much                      

I recall how blessed I am to have the fundamentals: food, water, housing, clothes.

6 never   5 rarely    4 monthly    3 weekly    2 daily    1 steadily all the time                 

Although I don’t have everything I want, at times I feel content with what I have.

6 never   5 rarely    4 monthly    3 weekly    2 daily    1 steadily all the time                 

I remember to appreciate the parents and other relations God has placed me in.

6 never   5 rarely    4 monthly    3 weekly    2 daily    1 steadily all the time                 

It occurs to me to feel that my life so far has been good and I should thank God for my days.

6 never   5 rarely    4 monthly    3 weekly    2 daily    1 steadily all the time                 

Score: _______________

Results: 50s total ingrate    40s ingrate   30s hardly thankful   20s grateful   10 glory halleluiah!                 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Phil.4:6.)