Lent is a time for seeking and granting forgiveness. As we call out for God's blessings, we are called to give to others the gifts God gives to us: unconditional love and mercy to all. This week several of us will be on the road to engage ourselves and others in the Sacrament of Reconciliation -- tonight at Old Saint Joe's, Wednesday at Lourdes, and next week at Saint Agnes. In preparation for tonight, I came across a few prayers for reconciliation coupled with an examination of conscience. Perhaps these texts may console and challenge you as we journey together to the joys of Easter. Until then, let's continue to join one another in our sacred pursuit to "Repent and Believe in the Good News!"
Lord,
Hear the prayers of those who call on you,
Forgive the sins of those who confess to you tonight,
And in your merciful love
Give us your pardon and peace.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God forever and ever.
Amen.
Hear the prayers of those who call on you,
Forgive the sins of those who confess to you tonight,
And in your merciful love
Give us your pardon and peace.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God forever and ever.
Amen.
+ Roman Sacramentary
EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
The Lord says: “Love the Lord you God with your whole heart.”
Do I keep God in my mind and heart, and place God as my first priority? Or am I too caught up in myself or material concerns?
Do I worship God regularly and carefully?
Do I respect the name of God, or have I dishonored it by using it in anger and carelessness? Do I pray often, even when I do not feel like doing so?
Do I trust in God and take seriously enough God’s unconditional love and concern for me?
Do I genuinely repent of my sins and accept God’s free and gracious forgiveness?
The Lord says: “Love one another as I have loved you!”
Do I love my parents, my children, my brothers and sisters and try to create a happy home life? Do I create an environment of love and support in my residence hall, apartment or shared home? Or am I sometimes thoughtless or even cruel toward those closest to me?
Am I fair and honest in my relationships? Or do I sometimes lie or act phony, or take unfair advantage of others by cheating or stealing?
Am I contributing to the common good of the Saint Norbert College community? Or do I ridicule our faculty, administration or staff without trying to make things better?
Do I respect the rights and sensitivities of others? Or do I tend to put people in categories or ignore others because they are different?
Do I honestly try to forgive others who dislike me? Or do I try to hurt them by what I’ve said or done?
Am I grateful for my sexuality and anxious to grow in sexual maturity and responsibility? Or do I sometimes exploit members of the opposite sex and abuse their giftedness?
Am I trying to improve the quality of life around me? Or do I worsen the environment and waste the good things I have?
Do I really care about my country or my church and the good of the human and faithful community of which I am a part? Or do I only care about myself and the people I know?
Am I concerned for the poor, the hungry and the destitute and for the millions who thirst for justice and peace?
Can I cut back on excessive purchasing, eating or drinking and contribute to the needs of the poor in the world?
The Lord says: “Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect!”
Am I working at becoming a better person? A better Christian? A better Roman Catholic?
Am I making the most of my talents, my education and my opportunities? Or do I fail to use them sometimes?
Do I place knowledge above grades? Do I try to inform the human spirit as much as the human mind?
Do I take care of my body, and make sure I get enough sleep and exercise?
Do I sometimes eat and drink far too much or misuse my body sexually?
Am I able to admit my own need for help and to ask for it?
Do I accept and love myself, despite my limitations and weaknesses?
What is the fundamental orientation of my life?
- St. Norbert College Community Prayer Book
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
Merciful God,
Source of unity and love,
Make your faithful people on in mind and heart on our way back to you
That your church may live in harmony;
Be steadfast in its profession of faith,
And secure in your abiding peace.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Source of unity and love,
Make your faithful people on in mind and heart on our way back to you
That your church may live in harmony;
Be steadfast in its profession of faith,
And secure in your abiding peace.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
+ Roman Sacramentary
2 comments:
WOW ... what beautiful, powerful prayers for the Sacrament of Reconciliation ... and the Examination of Conscience questions really get right to the point ... some of them made me a little more than uncomfortable! Is it possible that they might be published in one of the bulletins?
WOW ... what beautiful, powerful prayers for the Sacrament of Reconciliation ... and the Examination of Conscience questions really get right to the point ... some of them made me a little more than uncomfortable! Is it possible that they might be published in one of the bulletins?
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