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God is constant and unchangeable,
faithful and just, without any evil. He is almighty, merciful and
infinitely good, always acting for my benefit. Do I sometimes think or act
as if He’s not?
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Have I failed to love God
unconditionally, without reservation or distrust? In what areas of my life
is my faith in Him incomplete?
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When have I failed to acknowledge and
accept His authority, and tried to do things my way?
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Have I neglected to do everything
possible to nourish and protect my faith?
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Have I ignored the danger of listening
to teachings that contradict the Church, such as those that are propagated
through television, movies, books, magazines, newspapers, occult games,
politicians and other people?
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Have I willingly doubted God, thus
making my own wisdom to be my god?
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Is money and material possessions my
god? They are, if I value them more than the people in my life, or if I
spend more time focused on them than on my family and friends.
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What are the graven images I worship?
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Money? Do I trust my income to
provide me with what I need, instead of truly trusting God and His
timing? If I go into debt to buy something, I’m not trusting God.
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The television? Do I watch shows that
are contrary to God’s kingdom? If Jesus walked through my door, would I
be able to invite Him to sit with me while I watch my programs?
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My furniture? If I prefer falling
asleep in that plush chair or sofa when I should be tending to my
family, reading spiritual books or meditating with the Bible, then this
has become my god.
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Do I ever doubt God, rejecting what
He’s revealed to me, or rejecting what the Church has taught me to
believe? If I do, I’m making a god out of myself, believing that I know
better than God about what’s best for me.
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Have I despaired? If so, I’ve decided
not to wait on God’s help. I’m worshiping my own ideas and my own
time-table for how and when problems should get resolved.
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Do I think God cannot forgive my
sins? Or someone else’s? If so, I’m telling God how to run His kingdom!
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Do I think my good works alone will
save me? That is the sin of presumption, and I’m fashioning my works
into an idol. Only by allowing Jesus to change me from a sinner into a
saint—via his suffering and death on the cross—can I be saved from the
fires of eternal hell.
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Do I count on God’s mercy so much
that I expect Him to overlook my sins "because He understands"? This
kind of god is one I’ve created to give myself permission to sin. The
true God is merciful, yes, but His love cannot save me from the evil of
my sinfulness unless I choose to turn away from it.
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Am I indifferent toward God and what
He is asking of me? Am I ungrateful, spiritually lazy, or lukewarm in my
faith? This is the sin of not loving Him with my whole heart.
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Have I failed to take time each day
to pray, because it seems more important to spend my time on other
activities?
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Am I unwilling to make sacrifices for
God and for His Kingdom? This includes my money, time, possessions and
talents. It also includes the fears, low self-esteem and pride that
keeps me from saying "yes" to Him.
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Do I try to manipulate God by
bargaining with Him? ("If you heal my daughter, I’ll go to Mass every
day.") If so, I’m trying to bribe Him. He doesn’t want my bribe; He
wants my trust in His ability to handle the problem the way He knows is
best.
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Do I try to manipulate my life
through superstitions (including religious ones), divination, magic, or
other occult practices? If so, I’m not truly believing that God is
loving enough and powerful enough to help me by His own means.
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Have I ever denied the Faith? Or
followed teachings that disagree with Catholic Church teachings?
