Examination of Conscience

St. Peter’s Shortcomings

Incident One:

Jesus began to teach Peter and the other disciples:  “the Son of Man must suffer greatly, be rejected … and be killed” (Mk 8:31).  Then Peter took [Jesus] aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord!  No such thing shall ever happen to you!” (Mt 16:22).  Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan!  You are an obstacle to me!” (Mt 16:23).  Peter sinned:  he tempted Jesus to take the easy way out, he discouraged Jesus from obeying God’s will.

 

Reflection Questions:

• Have there been times that I have advised someone to take the easy way rather than the right way?
• If my friend is pondering a courageous, difficult, proper course of action, a decision which might have very serious consequences for one’s family, job security or economic well-being, reputation or health, and if that friend asks me for advice:
• Have I ever discouraged another from doing the right thing?
  
• Have I planted seeds of doubt in someone’s mind?
  
• Have I advised a friend to play it safe rather than speak out against something that is clearly wrong?
  
• Have I tempted someone to compromise their beliefs or principles?
• Have I pointed someone toward the low road rather than encourage them to follow God’s higher calling?

Incident Two:

Late one night Peter and the other disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee, and Jesus approached them, walking on the water (Mt 14:25).  “Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus, but when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened and began to sink” (Mt 14:29-30).  Peter sinned:  he took his eyes off Jesus in a time of trouble, he let his worry and fear overwhelm him when Jesus was there, ready to help.

 

Reflection Questions:

• When I am sinking do I take my eye off of Jesus?
• When I am drowning in life’s troubles:
    Do I blame God?
    Do I quit working at my relationship with God?
    Do I quit praying, quit going to church,
     quit reading the Bible, quit receiving the Sacraments?
• When things are really bad and it looks like I might not survive, do I turn away from Jesus, even though he is ready to help?
  Do I substitute things like too much alcohol?  Drugs?
  Improper sexual activity?  Too much gambling?  Too much TV?
• I am a “worry-wart?”
  Do I waste too much energy worrying about the storms swirling around me, rather than bring my concerns to God?
• When my life is dark and turbulent, do I whine and complain?

Incident Three:

When Jesus was transfigured (Mt 17:1-8), Peter said, “Lord, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (Mt 17:4).  Peter sinned:  he wanted to do all of the work, his way, by himself; he wanted to hang onto the moment rather than move ahead; and he wanted to have a good time rather than get down to work.

 

Reflection Questions:

• When it comes to jobs do I insist that things always have to be done my way?
• Am I a good team player?
• Do I cooperate well with my co-workers? 
  Am I so arrogant that I think that I’m the only one talented enough to do the job?
• Do I have too many irons in the fire?
  Am I drawn in so many directions that Jesus gets ignored?
• Do I prefer to live in the past?
  Am I rigid or inflexible?
  Do I resist necessary change?
• Do I party and recreate to a fault?
  Am I mostly concerned about having a good time, while I avoid getting down to serious work?

Incident Four:

When Jesus was arrested in Gethsemane in the Garden of Olives, “Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear” (Jn 18:10).  Peter sinned:  while Peter was standing next to Jesus, the Prince of Peace, he resorted to violence.

 

Reflection Questions:

• Have I turned to violence to get my way?
• Do I resort to verbal violence?
• Do I have a pattern of speaking harshly, rudely, raising my voice, or consistently using a nasty tone of voice? Have I threatened or intimidated someone?
• Have I turned to emotional violence; the silent treatment, withholding love, temper tantrums, or manipulation?
• Have I resorted to physical violence; slapping, pushing, or kicking?
• Have I resorted to sexual violence?
• Have I made unwanted advances? 
• Have I forced myself on someone?
• Have I done violence to someone’s reputation by intentionally spreading half truths or misinformation?

Incident Five:

When Jesus was arraigned before the high priest (Jn 18:15), Peter warmed himself by a charcoal fire in the courtyard (Jn 18:18).  The maid said to Peter, “Aren’t you one of Jesus’ disciples?” (Jn 18:17), but Peter replied, “I am not!” (Jn 18:17b), “I do not know the man!” (Mt 26:72).  Peter sinned:  Peter denied Jesus, not once, but three times.

 

Reflection Questions:

If I am in a group of people that is hostile toward Catholics, skeptical about religion, or claims that religion is superstition:

• Have I been proud to admit that I am a Catholic?
• Have I declared my faith in public?
• Or do I put my head down, hoping that no one will see me; hoping they will not ask so I will not have to tell?
• Have there been times when others have spoken out against core Catholic beliefs, things like abortion or euthanasia, the death penalty or racism, when I have denied Jesus by failing to stand up for the Gospel of Life or the Law of Love?
• Does my behavior deny that I am one of Jesus’ followers?

Incident Six:

After the crucifixion, Peter left Jerusalem, went back to his old home along the Sea of Galilee, and returned to his old job, fishing on the lake (Jn 21:2).   Peter sinned:  he gave up, he thought he had wasted his three years following Jesus, and he went back to his old ways.

 

Reflection Questions:

• Has there been an occasion when I have simply stopped following Jesus?
• Has there been a time when I thought my Christian faith was a waste of time, and I abandoned Jesus?
• When things have ended in disappointment or failure, have I set aside my religious ideals, walked away from my vocation, or resumed some old bad habits?