EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE:
Back in December 2014, right before Christmas, Pope Francis met with the behind-the-scenes Vatican employees. After thanking them for their dedication, he encouraged them to examine areas of their lives. The following words are adapted from his remarks.
Do I care for my spiritual life and my relationship with God?
1. Am I a Christian who is not nourished by prayer and the sacraments?
2. Do I study the Word of God?
Do I give care for my family life?
1. Do I give my family time, attention, and love?
2. Do I care for their daily needs?
Do I heal the wounds of the heart with the oil of forgiveness?
1. Have I forgiven others who have hurt me?
2. Have I said “I’m sorry” to those whom I have hurt and have I tried to make amends?
Do I watch how I speak?
1. Do I need to purify my everyday language from offensive words, vulgarities, and phrases used in the worldly decadence?
2. Do I gossip about others or tell false truths?
Do I care for my work?
1. Do I work with enthusiasm and passion?
2. Am I humble enough to thank the Lord for my accomplishments?
3. Do I use my God-given skills and talents in the service of others?
Do I avoid envy, lust, hatred, and negative feelings?
1. Are my thoughts and actions destructive toward my relationships, especially with
those whom I love?
2. Do my thoughts destroy my inner peace?
3. Do I say insulting things when it would be better to remain silent?
4. Do I surround myself with angry or destructive people?
Do I reach out to those who need me, for this is how I will be judged.
1. Do I assist the weak, the elderly, the sick?
2. Do I stand up for foreigners or for those who are oppressed?
3. Do I feed the hungry and shelter the homeless?
Can I let go of:
1. “The bitterness that brings us to revenge”
2. “The laziness that leads to existential euthanasia”
3. “The finger-pointing that leads to pride”
4. “The complaining that leads to despair”
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