An Examination of Conscience

This examination of conscience, based on the Ten Commandments, was given by Fr. Paul Wander as a homily during Lent of 2021. Used with permission. Thanks.

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​I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods before me. 
​​Do I honor God?  Do I pray to God every day?  Have I thanked God for His gifts to me?  Has God and the pursuit of sanctity in Christ been the goal of my life? Have I made something else in my life more important than God: money, work, alcohol, smoking, drugs, my phone, online gaming, or vacation?  Do I place myself above God? Have I tried to use magic or divination or other occult practices and tools? 

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. 
Have I used God’s name in vain?  Have I used His name in anger at another?  Have I made a solemn promise or vow and failed to keep it?  Have I asked God to hurt or condemn anyone? Have I used the Name of God to mislead, hurt or take advantage of anyone?  Have I used the name of Jesus, the Virgin Mary or the Saints wrongly? Have I used bad words or had bad thoughts?

Remember to keep Holy the Lord’s Day. 
Have I missed Mass on Sundays or Holy Days through my own fault?  Have I been inattentive during Mass or in my prayers? Have I been unnecessarily late or left Mass early?  Have I done unnecessary work or shopping on Sunday?  Have I failed to take my minor children to Mass on Sunday through my own fault?  Have I failed to make Sunday a day of rest and of sharing love with my family?  Have I failed to Love God with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind, and with all my strength?   

Honor your Father and Mother. 
Have I honored and respected my Father and Mother?  Have I failed to listen to them?  Have I shown Christ-like respect to my spouse and family members?  Have I respected those in legitimate authority in important matters?  Have I respected, honored and listened to those who are older? Have I respected, honored and helped those that I have authority or influence over? Do I honor my children and grandchildren?   Have I been attentive to the religious education and formation of my children?  Do I show love to my children or do I punish them or restrict them excessively?  Have I loved and respected my brothers and sisters, Aunts, Uncles and cousins?

You shall not kill.  
Have I killed anyone or hurt those around me in any way?  Do I desire revenge or refused to forgive?   Have I harmed the reputation of anyone or said unkind things about someone?  Have I been in any fights?  Do I look down on others or do I think that I am better than others? Am I quick to see the sins of others or to judge them?  Have I been prejudice, racist, sexist?  Have I abused drugs or alcohol?  Have I supported abortion or mercy killing?  Have I been impatient, angry, proud, revengeful, or lazy?  Have I cared for the bodily, spiritual, emotional and mental health and safety of myself and all others?

You shall not commit adultery. 
Have I been chaste in thought and word: in action and with my eyes? Have I willfully looked at indecent photographs, immoral movies or read immoral books?  Have I talked, thought or looked at another person in this way?  Have I said impure words or jokes?  Have I used the “F” word in any of its forms in my speech? Have I acted or dressed in a way that would deliberately entice someone, other than my spouse to look at me or to think of me in this way?  

You shall not steal. 
Have I taken what was not mine or taken credit for what someone else did?  Have I wasted time at work or been dishonest in any business relations?  Have I wasted time at school, cheated on a test or failed to do my homework?   Have I wasted time at home that I could have used to show love to my family?   Have I taken away someone’s freedom unjustly?  Have I paid unfair salaries to employees?  Have I refused to pay a debt I freely incurred?  Have I exploited someone’s weakness so I could make more money?  Have I failed to work for social justice in our town, county, State, Nation and world?  

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 
Have I lied?  Have I spoken ill of any other person?  Have I harm others with lies or gossip?  Have I used irony or teasing to harm another?  Have I made or let someone take the blame that was my fault?  Have I covered up or hidden the truth?  Have I failed to use opportunities to reveal God to others?  Have I boasted or bragged about myself or lied to make myself look better?

You shall not covet your neighbor’s spouse. 
Have I thought lustfully of someone who is not my spouse?  Have I let any of my human desires lead me against reason and the will of God?  Have I failed to try to purify my heart?  Have I failed to practice chastity, purity of intention and of vision? Have I been envious or jealous of some ones skills, talents or gifts?
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You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.​
​Have I been greedy?  Do I desire to amass earthy goods without limits or need?  Do I desire the power that can come from great wealth or possessions?  Have I harmed others temporal goods?    Do I cling to my possessions or wants?   Have I purposely done vandalism?  Do I wish ill on another? Am I envious of what someone has? Have I failed to love my neighbor as myself?  Have I failed to love others as Jesus loves me?