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“In what I have done, and in what I have failed to do”
-sins of omission may be more serious than sins of commission
In thought, word, and deed
-even if I did not gossip in word, did I judge someone in thought?
Each area of my life should be considered: my study, my work, my family, my friends, my roommate, my prayers
The Ten Commandments
- I, the Lord, am your God. You shall not have other gods besides me.
- You shall not take the name of the Lord God in vain.
- Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.
- You shall not kill.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness.
- You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife.
- You shall not covet your neighbour’s goods.
Anagram: PLACES-G, Pride, Lust, Anger, Covetousness, Envy, Sloth, Gluttony.
We can usually assume that each of these capital sins is at work in us in some manner and degree, an examination of conscience should help us see how.
Note: The following examination of conscience groups sins according to the capital sins, the seven deadly sins from which other sins typically flow. However, the same material act may be sinful for different reasons, therefore each person needs to apply this examination to himself carefully.
E.g. An act of lying is wrong, but it might be motivated by the capital sin of vanity (to make you look good), or from the capital sin of sloth/laziness (to avoid work), or from envy (to damage the reputation of another), or from a mixture of all three.
E.g. The material act of giving to the poor can be motivated by charity (virtue) or by vanity (vice). Hence this examination uses the vices to specify our sins.
Pride
Pride is the mother of all sin (St. Gregory the Great, c.f. St. Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologica II-II q162 a8). It is a craving for excellence beyond what is reasonable, an inordinate desire for one’s own superiority (ST II-II q162 a2). Reason requires that a man reach up for what is proportionate to him, and proportionate to his abilities. In pride a man seeks to be more than he should be.
(ST II-II q162)
Have I refused to admit my own weaknesses?
Have I sought things beyond me?
Have I dwelt on the failings of others?
Have I judged others? Ranked myself better than others?
In thought, word, or deed?
Have I hated others?
Have I refused to learn from others?
Have I been stubborn? Refused to admit I was wrong? Refused to accept that another person had a better idea?
Have I abused my power by imposing my will/preferences/opinions
on those in my care, or on friends?
Have I been insensitive in how I have proclaimed Christ’s truths?
Have I been arrogant? Have I held others in contempt?
Have I failed to show respect to those in authority? To my professor, chaplain, parents etc?
Have I failed to do my duties to my family/parents?
E.g. return phone calls, visit, stay in touch? Have I been self-seeking in my time with family at home? Do I consider what I owe them? Have I spent time with them? How have I manifested my concern for them? Have I been forgiving and to