Examination of conscience

National Youth Sunday 2013 Examination of conscience “ I a m t h e L O R D y o u r G o d. D o n o t h a v e o t h e r g o d s b e s i d e M e ” Do I hold God in His rightful place above all other things in my life? Do I fail to LOVE God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength? Like the Rich young man do I honour money, and wealth over God? Do I give time to pray each day? Do I involve myself in the occult? In horoscopes and superstitions?

“ I a m t h e L O R D y o u r G o d. D o n o t m a k e a n i d o l o f y o u r s e l f ” James and John argued over who was greatest. Do I compare myself to others? Do I judge others? Do I put yourself first in my life? Before those less fortunate than myself? Do I look after those immediately close to me, my friends and family? Do I give to charity?

“ I a m t h e L O R D y o u r G o d. D o n o t m i s u s e t h e n a m e o f t h e L O R D. ” Peter denied Jesus and His Kingship. He misused the name of the LORD. Do I use the Lord’s name in vain? Do I stand up for my faith when others may be slandering the Lord? Have I angered others so as to make them blaspheme?

“ I a m t h e L O R D y o u r G o d. K e e p t h e S a b b a t h d a y h o l y. ” Have I missed Mass deliberately on Sunday? Have I received Holy Communion when I needed to go to confession? Do I take time on Sunday’s for my family? Am I reluctant to get ready for Mass? Do I complain?

“ I a m t h e L O R D y o u r G o d. D o n o t m u r d e r. ” Have I used my anger in the wrong way? Do I hold on to grudges, and not forgive? Have I abused alcohol or drugs? Paul, persecuted, tortured and killed before he met the Lord on the road to Damascus Have I used destructive and abusive language to make myself feel more important and to put others down? Like Paul, help me to have a conversion of heart to love You, Lord, more each day.

“ I a m t h e L O R D y o u r G o d. H o n o u r y o u r f a t h e r a n d y o u r m o t h e r. ” Have I treated my parents and my family with respect? “Do what ever he tells you” Like Mary, who trusted in Jesus wholeheartedly especially at the Wedding in Cana, help me Lord to trust in you. Do I help at home? Have I shown gratitude for the blessings I have in my life?

“ I a m t h e L O R D y o u r G o d. D o n o t c o m m i t a d u l t e r y. ” Like the adulterous woman, Jesus does not condemn us but pleads with us to “Go and from now on do not sin again.” John 8:11 Do I use impure or suggestive words? Do I deliberately look at impure things on the television, or the internet? Do I try to control my thoughts ?

“ I a m t h e L O R D y o u r G o d. D o n o t s t e a l. ” Like, Zaccaeus the Tax collector have I stolen what is not mine? Have I downloaded music, films, TV programmes, books illegally from the internet? Do I steal attention from those who need it most, because of my own self importance? Do you steal attention from those who need it most?

“ I a m t h e L O R D y o u r G o d. D o n o t g i v e f a l s e w i t n e s s. ” Like Thomas do I not recognise the truth of the risen Jesus? Do I tell lies? When I have done something wrong, am I honest and accept my punishment. Have I been dishonest when asked for the truth?

“ I a m t h e L O R D y o u r G o d. D o n o t c o v e t y o u r n e i g h b o u r s t h i n g s. ” Matthew when he was a tax collector, before he was changed by Jesus regularly stole from people around him Am I jealous of what others have? Do I focus on other people’s strengths and gifts, rather than recognising the gifts God has given me?