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| Sacrament of Reconciliation |
| By Daniel Bartolo S.Th.D., T.E.F.L. |
This is some practical help for all those who wish to reconcile themselves with their inner life, with their closest persons, friends, people and God. It's a help for all those who:
- don't recognize sins in their lives
- don't know how to prepare themselves for this special sacrament
- want to celebrate this sacrament in a mature way
- want to learn more about this sacrament
IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES
Do you believe that God loves you as you are?
How is your self esteem?
Do you want to be the centre of attraction?
Do you have the attitude of playing the martyr's role?
Do you like to humiliate others?
Are you jealous about the other's success?
Do you always find excuses for your mistakes?
Are you capable of pardoning yourself?
Do you see life as a gift?
How do you view the people of the world?
Do you have a meaning for life?
How many people did you help this month?
Did you mature in your relationship with God?
How many times do you think about God?
Do you understand God?
How do you communicate with God?
Do you see God in your life?
Do you succeed in seeing something beautiful in every person?
Are you familiar with the Bible?
Do you know God's will about your life?
Are you capable of accepting God's cross in your life?
SOCIAL ASPECTS
Did you visit any prisoner, sick person, drug addict etc..?
In your prayer do you remember the 'others'?
Is there any person you don't love?
Do you say thank you to God?
Do you read the Pope's or the bishops' documents?
What do you know about the Mother of God?
Are you familiar with the Holy Spirit?
Are you an active member of your parish?
Do you ever blaspheme?
Do you take an active part in the weekly celebration of the eucharist?
Do you share your spiritual experiences with your friends?
Do you try to bring somebody nearer to God?
Did you offend somebody with your actions or words?
Does your family pray together?
JUSTICE
Did you pay your taxes?
Did you ever fooled somebody regarding money?
Is your pay justified for the quantity and quality of work you do?
Do you do your studies diligently?
Do you steal things from your place of work?
Did you fool your social services unit?
Did you harm your health with excessive cigarettes or heavy drinking or careless driving?
How do you spend your free time?
Do you give any help in your civil community?
Are you interested in your town/city?
Did you speak badly about somebody?
Did you steal?
Did you tell lies?
LOVE
Did you obey your parents?
How much time did you give to your kids?
Are you interested in your children?
Did you give them any praise?
Did you give affection to your children?
Did you express your anger by using your kids?
Did you listen to your wife/husband/children/parents?
Do you know your partner?
Did you tell him/her 'I love you' regularly?
How did you show him/her your love everyday?
Did you give enough time to your family?
Did you try to understand your significant other?
Did you give christian formation to your kids?
Did you give a sound example to your family?
Did you use your body according to God's plan?
Were your wishes and desires according to the gospel?
Were you capable to select intelligent TV/radio programmes?
How did you live your companionship (dialogue, communication, respect, affection, love etc..)?
In marriage did you fulfil God's plan?
Did you share your talents?
Did you pray for your enemies?
Do you like to criticize others?
Do you pardon those who trespass against you?
Did you have a crisis of faith?
Did you adore the gods of human beings, money, sex, cars etc..?
Did you kill somebody with your indifference?This is just a general help! It's NOT meant to make reconciliation complicated or full of doubts. It is a deep look into one's life. This in order to make life more beautiful and to live and express fully our gifts from God.