The Importance of the Examination of Conscience

THE HIGH ESTIMATION IN WHICH THIS DUTY SHOULD BE HELD BY US.

FIRST POINT.

LET us adore our LORD JESUS CHRIST, Who has assured us by His Saints that no exercise is more necessary or more beneficial to the soul than the examination of conscience; the daily practice of which is, indeed, a great aid to holiness of life, and one which cannot be neglected without sin. Let us give thanks to Him Who “searcheth the reins and hearts” (Rev. ii. 23), and let us fully recognize how infinitely important is the duty of corresponding with His grace by ourselves searching our consciences, and thus crushing sin in the very germ.

SECOND POINT.

LET us now ask in what light we have considered the duty of self-examination.

Do we regard it as a great help towards the amendment of our faults, and as an occasion of putting in practice one of the chief rules which the Saints of GOD give for our advancement towards perfection?

Are we convinced that self-examination is absolutely necessary for us, as being a daily preparation for the Sacrament of Confession; not only by enabling us to attain an exact knowledge of all our sins previous to confession, but also by inspiring a sincere contrition, which, in the event of our dying suddenly, or in a place where we are unable to obtain the assistance of a Priest, may, by the Divine grace, be permitted to supply the place of that Sacrament?

Do we remember that our conscience, if we never examine it, or if we only examine it superficially, becomes like ground which is suffered to lie fallow, and which is quickly overrun with weeds?

Do we consider that self-examination lays the axe to the very root of sin, destroying evil inclinations as soon as they begin to show themselves, and thus preventing us from forming any bad habits?

Do we call to mind that many of the most hardened sinners have been converted by the practice of self-examination; that the Saints of GOD have advanced in holiness of life by the same means; and that the greatest masters of the spiritual life have found no surer guide for those whom they directed, than this salutary exercise?

Lastly, as an undoubted proof of our desire to be diligent in fulfilling this duty, do we practise it every day at a specified hour, and especially at night, as we are admonished to do by many devout men; notably by S. Chrysostom in his Commentary on the fourth Psalm?

THIRD POINT.

O MY GOD, if those to whom the management of great wealth is entrusted are so exact in balancing their accounts daily, knowing that they are answerable to their employers for every item of the expenditure, how much more are we bound to be strict in keeping the account of our conscience, since we are responsible to Thee, from Whom nothing can be hidden, for every moment, every thought, every action of our lives, and for all the graces which we have received from Thee. Therefore do I beseech Thee, O LORD, to enable me diligently to search my conscience day by day, in preparation for Thy Judgment; for as Thy servant, S. Chrysostom, has well said, “If thus we put ourselves to trial daily, we may with less fear stand at the last day before the dread Tribunal.”