Examination of Conscience

Ten Key Aspects of the Christian Life

Passage One:

“Happy are those whose consciences do no reproach them” (Sir 14:12).

 

Reflection Questions:

• Have I blinded myself to my own sinfulness?
• Do I blame others for my shortcomings?
• Have I rationalized myself out of responsibility for my actions?
• Where do I get my values? from TV? the newspaper? the lounge at work?
  OR from Scripture? from the Church?

Passage Two:

“You shall love the Lord, your God, will all your heart, with all your soul, and all your mind” (Dt 6:5; Mt 22:37; Mk 12:30; Lk 10:27).

 

Reflection Questions:

• Is God at the center of my life?
• Do I spend some time in prayer every day?
• Do I love God more than my career? my investments?
• my possessions? my reputation?

Passage Three:

“Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not jealous. It is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interest, it is not quick tempered” (1 Cor 13:4-6).

 

Reflections Questions:

• Am I unfriendly? Am I cliquish?
• Does my demeanor scare people away?
• Am I insensitive to other’s feelings?
• Do I make caustic remarks?
• Do I fly off the handle quickly when people irritate me?
• Have I persisted with a behavior that I know is irksome to others?
• Am I manipulative? Do things always have to go my way?
• Do I resent it when others are successful?

Passage Four:

“Peter asked Jesus, ‘If someone wrongs me, how many times must I forgive them? Seven times?’ Jesus replied, ‘No, not seven times, but seventy-seven times’” (Mt 18:21-22).

 

Reflection Questions:

• Do I hang on to old grudges?
• Do I keep bringing up the past against someone?
• Am I still trying to get even about something?
• Do I keep telling others stories about how someone hurt me?
• Am I denying someone a second chance?

Passage Five:

“Honor your father and your mother” (Ex 20:12; Dt 5:16).

 

Reflection Questions for Young People:

• Do I respect and obey my parents?
• Do I tell the truth?
• Am I responsible with my household chores?
• Am I using my abilities well in school?
• Do I hang around with kids who have a bad influence on me?
• Reflection Questions for Adult Children:
  Do I visit or care for my elderly parents?
  Can I forgive my parents for mistakes they made in raising me?

Passage Six:

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for them if a great millstone were hung around their neck and they were cast into the sea” (Mt 18:6; Mk 9:42; Lk 17:2).

 

Reflection Questions:

• Do I take the time to teach my children right from wrong?
• Do I give my children good example?
• Do I offer my children loving discipline?
• Am I patient with my children?
• Do I spend the right amount of time with my youngsters?
• Do I ignore important issues that need to be addressed?
• Can my children tell that I love them?

Passage Seven:

“Go not after your lusts, but keep your desires in check” (Sir 18:30).

 

Reflection Questions:

• Do I eat too much? Do I drink too much?
• Do I gamble in a way that endangers myself or my family?
• Do I view pornography, obscene movies, or indecent television programs?
• Do I desire inappropriate sexual activities?
• Have I engaged in improper sexual activities?
• Am I preoccupied with my physical appearance?
• Am I addicted to shopping? Am I obsessed with collecting things?

Passage Eight:

“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who are truthful are God’s delight” (Prov 12:22).

 

Reflection Questions:

• Do I tell half-truths? Do I distort the facts?
• Do I slant things in my favor? Do I spread false rumors?
• Do I failed to keep my side of an agreement?
• Have I cheated on a test or my homework?
• Have I falsified my taxes or an expense account?

Passage Nine:

“Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger (Jn 6:35); whoever eats this bread will live forever’ (Jn 6:51).”

 

Reflection Questions:

• Do I attend Mass every Sunday?
• Do I receive the Eucharist regularly?
• Do I treasure Communion as a great gift from God?
• Am I becoming what I receive? Am I becoming Christ for others?

Passage Ten:

“All Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching and for training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16).

 

Reflection Questions:

• Is the Bible important to me? Do I read the Bible?
• Do I listen attentively to the readings when they are proclaimed at Mass?
• Do I pay attention to the homilies?
• Do I love God’s Word and let it transform me?