EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
Reflect on your life in the light of the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes.
The Ten Commandments
Exodus 20:1-17
I am the Lord your God, and you shall have no other gods before me.
Has God been the source, center, and hope of my life? Have I put myself, others, or things before God? Have I failed to trust in God's existence, love, and mercy? Have I failed to pray to God, to worship Him, and to thank Him for His blessings? Have I tried to serve God and keep His commandments faithfully? Have I murmured or complained against God in adversity? Have I praised and glorified God through my words and deeds?
You shall not make for yourself a graven image in order to worship it.
Have I valued anyone or anything above God? Have I given to anyone or anything the love, honor, and worship that belongs to God alone? Have I made an idol of any person, idea, occupation, or thing?
I am the Lord your God, and you shall have no other gods before me.
Have I blasphemed God's holy name in any way? Have I sworn a false oath? Have I broken any solemn vow or promise? Have I entered into an agreement, promise, or contract against God's law? Have I cursed or used foul language?
Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
Have I worshipped regularly on Sundays and major feast days and have I helped others to do the same? Have I worked unnecessarily on Sundays or major feast days or caused others to do so? Have I spent the Lord's Day in a wholesome and edifying way?
Honor your father and mother.
Have I loved and respected my parents as I should? Have I neglected them or failed to help them? Have I disobeyed them, deceived them or caused them pain by my words or deeds? Have I treated all my family members with patience and love?
Thou shall not kill.
Have I caused the harm, injury, or death of anyone? Have I wished my own or anyone's harm or death? Have I been cruel to animals or destroyed any life unnecessarily?
You shall not commit adultery.
Have I committed any immoral acts alone or with others? Have I caused others to commit immoral acts? Have I committed immoral acts in my heart?
You shall not steal.
Have I taken anything that was not mine from anyone or from anywhere? Have I cheated anyone? Have I caused others to steal or cheat? Have I tried to find the owners of lost things I have found? Have I damaged or destroyed anything that belonged to another? Have I defrauded anyone of rightful wages? Have I paid my debts? Have I given to the poor and to philanthropic causes in proportion to my means?
You shall not bear false witness.
Have I given false testimony against anyone? Have I spoken evil, told lies, or spread rumors about anyone? Have I disclosed to anyone the sins and faults of another? Have I made careless statements or done anything else to harm the name and reputation of another? Have I engaged in idle gossip?
You shall not covet.
Have I looked with envy, jealousy, or hatred toward the possessions, talents, or achievements of others? Have I desired the downfall or loss of others out of evil intent that I might benefit? Have I grieved that God has bestowed greater blessings on others than on me?
The Beatitudes
Matthew 5:1-12
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Have I truly recognized my complete dependence on God? Have I been proud, arrogant, and self-righteous in my ways? Have I been selfish, possessive, and self-seeking? Have I sought after status, power, and wealth?
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Have I endured difficulties and afflictions with faith and patience? Have I felt sadness for the sufferings of the poor, the hungry, and the addicted; the sick, the lonely, and the sinful of the world? Have I truly been sorrowful for my sins and faults?
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Have I tried to serve or rather to dominate others at home, school, work, office, church, and elsewhere? Have I cursed against anyone? Have I been resentful, bitter, unforgiving, or insulting and abusive to others? Have I loved my enemies?
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Have I truly yearned for God's will to be done in all things? Have I worked for justice in my family, society, and the world in ways within my reach? Have I tried to cultivate a righteous life through prayer, fasting, worship, receiving Holy Communion, and deeds of love toward others?
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Have I shown compassion and help toward the poor, hungry, lonely, and needy around me? Have I tried to understand and forgive others? Have I been indifferent, judgmental, or legalistic?
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Have I loved goodness, purity, and holiness? Have I succumbed to evil motives and intentions? Have I given way to impure thoughts, words, or deeds? Have I been guilty of bias and prejudice? Have I been hypocritical, pretentious, or self-indulgent to sinful passions?
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Do I have God's peace in my heart? Have I been unfairly angry, aggressive, or impatient? Have I worked for peace at home, work, church, and in society? Have I been irritable, polemical, or divisive?
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Have I complained when persecuted for God's sake? Have I prayed for my persecutors? Have I failed to defend anyone in the truth for fear of humiliation or persecution? Have I had the courage to stand up for what is right despite criticism, ridicule, or persecution?
Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you on my account; rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.
Is the joy of Christ in my heart even in trying moments? Have I been pessimistic, despondent, or despairing? Have I truly delighted in the promise of God's treasures in heaven?
Source: The Office of Repentance and Guide to Confession in the Byzantine Catholic Tradition by Horizons Press