The
First Commandment: I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange gods
before me.
Do
we truly love God above all, or do we sometimes give greater importance to
things of this world: money, image, looks, clothes, popularity or selfish
desires?
Do
we claim to have good values, but often bend or abandon them in order to fit in
and be "part of the group?"
Do
we turn to God in thankful prayer, or do we pray mostly when we want something?
Do
we really want to be transformed by the will of God, or do we just use our
religion in order to "look" like good Christian people?
The
Second Commandment: You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain.
Do
we show disrespect for God's name by misusing it out of frustration or anger or
to look "tough" to others?
Do
we hesitate to mention God's name in appropriate situations, in conversations
with friends and family members?
Do
we continue to learn about God by paying attention in Church, Christian
Education and through reading the Holy Scriptures?
The
Third Commandment: Remember to keep holy the Lord's day.
Do
we come to Church to celebrate the Eucharist on Sundays and Holy Days? Do we
attend Church only when it is convenient or when it will make us "feel
good?"
Do
we participate in the Eucharist by praying and singing, or do we simply sit as
spectators and wait to be entertained?
Do
we pay close attention to the Word of God and open ourselves to God's call to
allow His word to take effect in our lives?
The
Fourth Commandment: Honor your father and your mother.
Do
we help bring peace and happiness to our families, or are we disrespectful of
others and a source of hurt and division for those who are closest to us?
As
parents, are we generous and patient with our children? Do we spend time with
them and give them the attention they need? Do we set responsible limits for
them and make sure they follow rules that will help them grow into responsible
adults?
Are
we willing to say "no" to our children, or are we more likely to
ignore problem behavior and hope it will "go away?"
Do
we listen to our children carefully and treat them with respect?
As
children, are we loving, respectful and obedient to our parents? Do we
appreciate the many sacrifices they make for us? Do we say "Thank
you" and "I love you" often enough?
Do
we do our chores without being asked, or do we wait for our parents to become
upset before we move away from what we are doing?
Do
we listen to our parents' reasoning when they say "no" to us?
The
Fifth Commandment: You shall not kill.
Have
we injured another person through carelessness or fighting?
Have
we placed ourselves or others in danger because of reckless use of alcohol or
other drugs? Have we caused difficulties for ourselves or others because of
their use?
Have
we risked our lives by driving or riding with someone under the influence
alcohol or other drugs?
Do
we strive to forgive those who have hurt us, or do we hold on to resentment and
desire for revenge?
Do
we use our powers of influence well, especially our voting rights, in order to
fight war, oppression, abortion and injustice, or do we allow those evils to
continue by our apathy and our silence?
Have
we been violent or abusive either in action or in speech? Have we been verbally
abusive to our children or other family members?
Do
we share what we have with those in need? Do we support the life and mission of
the Church by responsible stewardship - sharing our time, talent and treasure?
Do
we bring our Christianity to every day situations, or do we stand on the
sidelines and complain about every flaw we can detect in others?
The
Sixth Commandment: You shall not commit adultery.
Do
we respect the dignity of the human body and the holiness of Christian
marriage? Do we show that respect in our speech, or are crude language and
jokes often part of our conversations?
Do
we understand and appreciate the gift of our sexuality as a means of expressing
our love [and God's love] in the Sacrament of Marriage?
Have
we been faithful to our marriage, priestly or religious vows? Do we keep our
commitments simply because we said we would, or do we seek to nourish ourselves
and others through our lifetime commitments?
Have
we encouraged others to sin by our failure to maintain good moral standards?
The
Seventh Commandment: You shall not steal.
Do
we respect the property of other people? Have we stolen, damaged or vandalized
the property of others?
Have
we cheated at work or in school? Have we encouraged others to sin by pressuring
them into helping us cheat?
Are
we honest and hardworking in school and at work?
Are
we faithful to our promises? Can we be trusted?
The
Eighth Commandment: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Have
we lied to stay out of trouble or to avoid a difficult situation?
Do
we gossip about others? Have we damaged the reputation of another person by
exaggeration or making up stories about them?
Can
we be trusted with a secret?
Do
we stand up for those unjustly accused, or are we merely a channel through
which rumors pass, whether or not they are true?
The
Ninth Commandment: You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
Have
we weakened or damaged our marriage commitment through our obsession with
another person?
Do
we respect the commitments of others and help them remain faithful to their
promises?
Do
we treat our marriages casually in our conversations and attitudes? Have we
said or done anything which made a mockery of our sacred promises?
The
Tenth Commandment: You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.
Are
we satisfied with what God has given us, or are we jealous of those who seem to
have more?
Do
we try to prove we are better than others by bragging or buying more things?
Do
we appreciate our own good qualities, or do we constantly compare ourselves
with others and become resentful or bitter?
Do
we cope well with the problems that confront us and maintain our Christian hope
in spite of hard times and difficulties?
Do
we truly "seek first the Kingdom
of God
Do
we reflect the peace, hope and joy of a people redeemed and made holy by the
Blood of Christ?
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