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Do I still have
unconfessed sins from childhood that include dishonoring or disobeying my
parents?
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As an adult whose
parents are still alive, I’m not bound to obey them in the strict sense,
but do I show them disrespect? Do I work against them or ignore their good
desires?
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Have I neglected to
express my gratitude to my parents for giving me life? How about for
giving me love, or the training that has made me what I am?
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Have I dishonored my
parents (or anyone) by saying unloving things about or to them? By
insulting them? By arguing without trying to understand them?
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Have I failed to forgive
them for everything that has hurt me?
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Have I refused to be
generous with them, holding back my time or money?
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When did they experience
difficulties and I neglected to provide moral support?
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What about the other
parents of my faith: godparents, pastors, catechists, teachers, siblings,
friends, etc.? Have I failed to honor them, treat them well, and give them
thanks?
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God designed my own
marriage to be a sacramental, covenant community: When have I given my
spouse less than the best of me? Our relationship should mutually benefit
both of us: When have I been more concerned about myself?
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Is the procreation and
education of children a low priority, taking a back seat to my career,
possessions or other things of the world?
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Do I give my family
members less devotion than I give to my job, my leisure activities or my
friends?
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Have my demands on
children ever been unjust and unfair? Were they inappropriate for the
children and for the family as a whole?
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Parents are the image of
God to their children. What have I done that creates an image of God as
something He’s not: distant, unforgiving, uncaring, abusive, undependable,
giving love only as a reward, etc.?
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What have I done that
has kept my home from being conducive to forgiveness, fidelity and service
to one another? For example, when did I fail to help with others’ chores,
homework, or emotional needs? When did I set a poor example of forgiveness
and understanding?
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Have I neglected my
responsibility to bring prayer and scripture into my home? Or in taking
seriously the Christian family’s role in evangelization and service?
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Have I encouraged, by
example and by what I’ve permitted, individualism over community life? I
have, if I’ve allowed a television in every room or other activities that
keep my family apart when it's not necessary.
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Have I taught my
children, by my example, to be selfish, alcoholic, abusive, too busy for
God or each other, liars, or money-worshipers? What other bad behaviors
did they learn from me?
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If I’m civilly divorced
or separated, have I disregarded Church teachings on the Sacrament and
permanence of marriage? Have I forsaken the help offered by the Church for
reconciliation or for getting an annulment? Have I refused to seek the
forgiveness of my spouse for my hatred and anger? God wants me to both
forgive and to seek forgiveness, even if my spouse and I remain apart.
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Have I neglected my
children’s religious education? Have I poorly encouraged participation in
Mass or CCD? Have I ignored other opportunities to sponsor their spiritual
growth? Have I relied on others to provide most of their training, instead
of acknowledging my role as their primary educator?
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Have I failed to lead my
children to frequent Confession?
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Have I discouraged in
any way the possibility of my children being called to the priesthood or
the consecrated religious life?
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How have I held my
children back from becoming all that God has designed them to be,
including in their self-esteem, talents, relationships with others, and
their present or future careers?
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Am I so attached to my
parents (or anyone) that they come before God in my life?
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How well do I honor and
respect legitimate civil authorities? All authority to govern comes from
God. Have I neglected to vote regularly? To pay my taxes honestly? To
serve my country to the best of my ability?
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When civil authorities
abuse their power, do I ignore it or complain about it, instead of working
against this abuse and defending the truth of the Gospel?