EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
“I am the Lord, thy God, thou shalt not have strange gods before Me.”
Have fame, fortune, sports, money, career, pleasure, etc. replaced God as my highest priority? Have I neglected my daily prayers? Have I sinned by seriously believing in New Age, Astrology, Horoscopes, Fortune-telling, Superstition or engaging in the Occult?
“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.”
Have I committed blasphemy by using the name of God and Jesus Christ to swear rather than to praise? Have I committed sacrilege by going to Holy Communion in the state of mortal sin without first going to confession? Did I violate the one-hour fast before Communion? Have I neglected to support the Church and the poor by sharing my time, talent and treasure?
Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
Did I miss Mass on any Sunday? (Bad weather and being sick do not count) Have I shown disrespect by leaving Mass early, not paying attention or not joining in the prayers? Did I do unnecessary work on Sunday which could have been done the day before?
Honor thy Father and Mother.
Parents: Have I set a bad example for my children by casually missing Mass, neglecting prayer, or ignore my responsibility to provide a Catholic education? Do I show little or no interest in my children’s faith and practice of it? Have I not expressed my moral values to them?
Children/Youth: Have I been disobedient and/or disrespectful to my parents or guardians? Did I neglect to help them with household chores? Have I caused them unnecessary worry and anxiety by my attitude, behavior, moods, etc.?
Thou shalt not kill.
Did I consent, recommend, support or have an abortion? Did I actively or passively cooperate with an act of euthanasia? Have I committed an act of violence or abuse (physical, sexual, emotional or verbal)? Have I endangered the lives of others by reckless driving? Do I show contempt for my body by neglecting to take care of my own health? Have I been mean or unjust to anyone? Have I held a grudge or sought revenge against someone who wronged me? Do I point out others’ faults and mistakes while ignoring my own?
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
& Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.
Did I have any sex before or outside of marriage? Do I view pornographic material (magazines, internet)? Did I commit the sins of masturbation and/or artificial contraception? Have I not avoided the occasions of sin (persons or places) which would tempt me to be unfaithful to my spouse or to my own chastity? Do I encourage and entertain impure thoughts or desires?
Thou shalt not steal.
& Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.
Have I stolen any object, committed any shoplifting or cheated anyone of their money? Did I knowingly deceive someone in business or commit fraud? Have I shown disrespect or even contempt for other people’s property? Am I greedy or envious of another’s goods? Do I let financial and material concerns or the desire for comfort override my duty to God, to Church, to my family or my own spiritual well-being?
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Have I told a lie in order to deceive someone? Have I told the truth with the purpose and intention of ruining someone’s reputation? Have I told a lie or spread rumors which may ruin someone’s reputation? Do I love to spread gossip and secrets about others?