Lent - self examination

Lent is a time for self-examination. We need to look at ourselves very carefully. The ashes on our forehead remind us of the human condition: Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

However, sometimes, you we will have to go real deep and discover inner attitudes that may be the root of our sinful behavior. Sometimes we will need a spiritual colonoscopy. Lent is a Catholic colonoscopy. We need to go deep into ourselves and look at ourselves very closely.

We have an annual physical, an annual eye exam and we should go to the dentist to have our teeth cleaned. Preventative health will keep us in great shape and could be the way that serious health issues are detected.

Lent is a time for self-examination. We need to look at ourselves very carefully.

However, there is a pervasive and characteristic weakness within our modern culture - we don't want to examine and resolve our problems. We fail to see many things about ourselves.

Usually our sins, tendencies, attitudes and weaknesses will be easy to detect. We know who we are and we know what we need to do.

Here is a list of questions that may help us:

Do we take our spiritual life seriously?
Do we attend Mass every Sunday unless sick?
Do we do unnecessary work on Sunday?

Do we practice the virtue of charity? 

Are we patient and kind? 

Are we generous with our time? 

Do we serve others? 

Do we help the sick and the poor? 

Do we need to forgive someone?

Are we lazy? 

Are we active in the life of the Church? 

Do we study the Faith?

Do you go to Confession on a regular basis? 

Do you receive Communion with a good conscience?

Let this Lent be an outstanding time of conversion and spiritual growth.