"You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another. And you shall not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God: I am the Lord." Lev 19:11-12
Dear Jesus:
Today's meditation from Leviticus was about the Ten Commandments. A good opportunity for a deep examination of conscience. This Lent I want to do a good confession and I don't want to wait until Good Friday.
1. You shall not steal. This covers everything from a huge bank robbery to taking paper clips from the employer. I used to think that the latter was not really a sin, until I married my very honest hubby that won't take a penny from anyone. The other day, without noticing, he left Norman Brothers without paying for the croissants. He realized it when he got home and he actually returned to apologize and pay. I probably wouldn't have returned and therefore, that would have been a sin. So what have I stolen?
2. You shall not lie or speak falsely to one another. This is a difficult one and it goes hand in hand with stealing. I'm an expert at saying "white lies" but the bottom line is that they are "lies" nonetheless. I also have a tendency to exaggerate which is also a type of lying. Therefore, with that said, what lies have I said lately?
3. You shall not swear falsely by my name, thus profaning the name of your God. This is one that I try really hard not to do because I totally dislike it when I hear someone swearing. I feel that when someone feels the need to swear is because they tend to lie, and they need to reinforce the truth by swearing. Have I let You down lately by profaning your name?
4. I am the Lord your God, you shall not have strange gods before me. I need to love You above all things. Many times I create "strange" gods: money, possessions, work, traveling, television, shopping, my family... All the things or people that I place before You can become an "strange" god. What are my "strange" gods?
5. Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day. I used to think that missing mass on Sunday was not a sin. But now I know better so I try to give You that one hour every Sunday. It's the Holy Days of Obligation that get me sometimes, especially the odd ones like the feast of the Ascension in August and the Immaculate Conception on December 8th. How many times have I missed mass lately because there was something that I considered more important or simply because I was lazy?
6. Honor your father and your mother. I'm not very good with this one. I try to be a good daughter but I probably could be better. I rarely take the time to visit my parents because I have gotten used to the fact that they visit me. What can I do to make my parents' life easier?
7. You shall not kill. Well, here's one that I have never done, unless You hold against me that duck that I killed when it flew in front of my car. But there is more to this commandment. To kill means to destroy and I can destroy a person by destroying their honor, their reputation or their name. If I gossip, I am killing that person without them even knowing it. Whom have I killed lately by gossiping about them?
8. You shall not commit adultery. Even though I have always been faithful to my marriage vows, there are many ways to commit adultery: by watching or reading pornography, by contributing to pornography if I buy a book or pay for a movie that has sexual innuendos, by dressing in a way that could cause someone to commit adultery... What have I done lately that could be considered adulterous?
9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife or husband. These last two go hand in hand. As a matter of fact, I thought they were one and the same, which opened up a friendly discussion with Alex. He convinced me they were different by showing me his Theology book. Anyway, even though I don't covet anyone's husband, just like with many other commandments, there is more to this than meets the eye. Coveting someone's wife or husband means also to covet their happiness. Have I ever wished that my marriage or my family was like someone else's?
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods. Envy is a really bad sin that leaves me with a sour taste. I have felt it a few times and I totally dislike it. It's one of those things that creeps in without even noticing it. When have I felt envy recently?
Jesus, forgive me for all the times that I have failed to love You and that I have failed to keep your commandments. Now, I need to go to confession.
I love You, Jesus!!!
First Week of Lent: March 6, 2017
Dear Jesus:
Today's reading was the same Leviticus reading from nine years ago. Not surprising since the readings get repeated every three years. And once again, I find myself needing to go to confession. I must share with You, Jesus, that of all the things You left us, confession is the one I like the least. I put it off and put it off and put it off. If it was up to me, I would confess directly to You and avoid the intermediary. But it is very humbling to sit in front of a priest, which at that moment represents You, and pour out my heart to him. And as much as I dislike it, every time I go, I leave a lot lighter and a lot happier. So it's time to stop making excuses and go to confession.
I love You, Jesus!!!
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