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St. Maria Goretti
Dear Family of Mary! "Dear children; today I call you to a difficult and painful step for your unity with my Son. I call you to complete admission and confession of sins, to purification. An impure heart cannot be in my Son and with my Son. An impure heart cannot give the fruit of love and unity. An impure heart cannot do correct and just things; it is not an example of the beauty of God's love to those who surround it and to those who have not come to know that love. You, my children, are gathering around me full of enthusiasm, desire and expectations, and I implore the Good Father to, through the Holy Spirit, put my Son - faith, into your purified hearts. My children, obey me, set out with me." (July 2, 2011) A good examination of conscience begins with the 10 Commandments and the Beatitudes. This list is offered on the website of the Milwaukee Archdiocese:
http://rosaryea.org/sacramentofmercy/sacrament/examination-of-conscience
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The Ten Commandments
1. You shall have no gods before me.
Is God the center of my life? Do I fully practice my faith? Is there a relationship, a possession, an activity that has become more important to me than God?
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain.
Do I swear or use God's name in vain? Is my speech worthy of a child of God?
3. Keep holy the Sabbath.
Do I attend Mass on all Sundays and holy days? Do I make Sunday a day of rest and prayer? Do I avoid unnecessary work and shopping on Sundays?
4. Honor your father and mother.
Do I love, respect and obey my parents? Do I respect and help those in authority?
5. You shall not kill.
Have I physically or emotionally hurt others? Do I respect the dignity of everyone? Do I work for the great cause of the defense of all human life?
6. You shall not commit adultery.
Do I live chastity as proper to my state in life? Do I respect the sexuality of others and myself as a divine gift? Do I use artificial contraceptives? Do I use masturbation, pornography, extra-marital sexual intercourse as a way to gratify lust?
7. You shall not steal.
Have I taken what does not belong to me? Do I work diligently for the pay I receive? Do I share what the Lord has given to me?
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Do I lie? Have I gossiped or slandered others? Have I hurt the reputation of others?
9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
Do I honor and respect the proper boundaries of relationships? Have I led others to sin through immodesty or bad example?
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's possessions.
Am I envious or jealous of others? Am I selfish, greedy or possessive with things or relationships?
The Beatitudes
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1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Do I live a spirit of detachment and generosity? Do I sacrifice for others?
2. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Do I console and help those who mourn and suffer? Do I show compassion?
3. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Am I authentically humble and self-giving? Have I been egotistical or boastful?
4. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for holiness, for they will be satisfied.
Am I passionate for the things of God? Do I work for the triumph of love, peace and justice?
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Am I forgiving and merciful? Do I give others the benefit of the doubt? Am I harsh or judgmental?
6. Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God.
Am I single-minded in the practice of my faith? Have I allowed a particular sin or vice to distract me from God?
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Am I a person of reconciliation, peace and mercy? Do I hold grudges or seek revenge?
8. Blessed are they who are persecuted, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Do I suffer well? Am I willing to sacrifice anything for my faith? Do I allow human respect to keep me from being a Christian witness? What do I confess in Reconciliation?
Something for us to chew on! May the Holy Spirit anoint us as we continue to respond to Our Lady's call to purification. In Jesus and Mary!
Cathy Nolan
http://rosaryea.org/sacramentofmercy/
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