This past Monday, June 1^st Ordinary Time began and that evening we gathered for a Penance Service to prayerfully begin this new time.  Following the service, many asked that I publish the Examination of Conscience that was prayed that evening, so here it is for your prayer and I offer it to you as a continuing means of forgiveness and mercy as we move ahead in our world and in our churches. 

Reflection:   We have been created in the image and likeness of God.  In baptism, that image of Jesus was emblazoned within us and we were joined to his holy Body. When we fail to see our gifts for the benefit of others and choose to be self-indulgent with our time and talents and treasures.
 
Examen:      Lord God, forgive me for not being a good disciple, a faithful steward of all my blessings, for having an excessive attachment to money and comfort, for jealousy and possessive behaviors.  Lord, have mercy.
 
Examen:      Lord God, forgive me for my failure to share generously with others in words and deeds, or to show appreciation for those in my family and community and for my negligence in showing gratefulness to others.  Lord, have mercy.

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Reflection:   Our lives are to be cherished, however, how many times we neglect caring for ourselves in a proper manner.  Rather than cherishing this gift, we are often inclined to indulge and deepen the gap between our self and God.  Our careless and sinful choices have distorted the image of God planted deep within us and in contrast, fail to follow the Spirit’s lead.
 
Examen:       Forgive me for not being faithful to you, for seeking consolation in excessive patterns of behavior; in food and drink and disrespect for all God’s creation.  Lord, have mercy.
 
Examen:       Forgive me for my neglect in reaching out in care, compassion and mercy to others and seeking only personal gain as satisfaction for myself.  Lord, have mercy.
 
Examen:       Forgive me for my failure to speak up and speak out for those who cannot and to live in peace and harmony with others.  Lord, have mercy.

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Reflection:   So much demands our attention and often the very things we need to pay most attention to are left behind and we rearrange the priorities of our lives to fit our needs and not to fit into God’s marvelous plans for us.
 
Examen:       Lord God, forgive me for the times I put others down, judge them unwisely, call them names and fail to welcome everyone in a spirit of kindness, justice, truth, peace, hope and joy.  Lord, have mercy.
 
Examen:       Forgive me for my resentment toward those who disagree with me, who are different than me and who are not of my kind; for my sarcasm, irreverent humor and private judgments about others.   Lord, have mercy.

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Reflection:   Being closed in, sheltered and without the outside influences that often inspire and encourage us to good living, leaves us irritable, isolated and sad.  In the human family we are gifts to one another, however, our relationships with family and friends are marred by many lost opportunities for community.
 
Examen:       Lord God, forgive me for being impatient with others, especially to those in my family, at work, in my parish, in school, with my friends, colleagues, those in authority, peers, classmates, and all.   Lord, have mercy.
 
Examen:       Forgive me for my prejudice, for my close mindedness, for a lack of respect for the knowledge and wisdom of others, for being blind to the real needs of the community.  Lord, have mercy.

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Reflection:   The invitation has always been there to grow in God’s love, persevere in prayer, to serve others through good works and live in a spirit of gratitude and joy.  For the times we have failed to live a sincere life, one that is patterned on the life of Christ, and for not bearing the fruits of the Spirit with wonder, joy and balance.
 
Examen:       Forgive me for my greedy actions, my anger, my pride, my self-centeredness, my arrogance and rudeness.  Forgive me for my lack of compassion and understanding, for my quick judgments and unkind words, for wasted anger and apathy, for my complacency and flippant actions. Lord, have mercy.

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     I also offered the following reflection that evening and here it is for your reflection.
 
     Our Catholic Faith is steeped in tradition and symbols and one of the most profound signs and symbols is that of the Paschal Candle.  It stands upright at the ambo throughout the Easter Season and then is formally placed at the Baptismal Font of our Church throughout the rest of the Liturgical Year.
 
     The Paschal Candle is always lit at Baptisms and Funerals and often at other prayer services throughout the year.  It is THE sign and symbol of Christ the Light to REMIND US that AT BAPTISM we RECEIVED the Light of Christ.  At Baptism we were called by name, sent and blessed to go forward into the world to be His disciples.  Parents and Godparents, who presented us to the Church, were entrusted with the Light, on our behalf, and were charged with the responsibility to keep the flame of faith alive and burning brightly in our hearts (paraphrase of the Order of Baptism).
 
    However, as we grow up and learn and live, we begin to act on our own and when we act and speak in ways that are not of Christ, we back up and move away from the Light.  When we harbor grudges and hold revenge in our hearts, we back up and move away from the Light.  When we act unkindly, when we rob others of their dignity, when we disrespect ourselves and others, we back up and move farther away from the Light.  When we choose actions and behaviors and adopt attitudes that are opposed to our Christian values and morals, we back up and move farther away from the Light.  When we commit sin or fail to act in a Christian way for the common good, we back up and move farther away from the Light.  And the farther we are away from the Light of Christ, the farther we are away from our community and our God.
 
     Thanks be to God for the Sacrament of Reconciliation that we celebrate this evening, the Sacrament of Reconciliation that brings us back to the Light.  So we come together in prayer and ask God to restore His Light into our hearts to live authentically Christian lives, for we know God will always bring us back to His light. Amen.

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Lord Jesus, you came into the world to heal our infirmities and to endure our sufferings. You went about healing all and bringing comfort to those in pain and need. We come before you now in this time of illness asking that you may be the source of our strength in body, courage in spirit and patience in pain. May we join ourselves more closely to you on the cross and in your suffering that through them we may draw our patience and hope.
 
Please remember in prayer all who are ill or homebound, especially the following:
 

Christine Burrell
Hilda Denk
Kathleen Dorsey
John Goetz
Nancy Grau
Gerri Irvin
Marcel Liberge
  Chet Talarczyk
Donald Ziehn

  To add a name or update the Prayer List - Please call the Parish Office: (440) 243-3877 or
Email:  jabraham1@stmaryberea.org
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