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To: markomalley
I would certainly hope that anybody would see the value of a periodic examination of conscience.

Not knowing if there are Roman Catholic nuances tied to that statement, on the surface, I agree.

9 posted on 01/15/2014 6:04:25 PM PST by Gamecock (Celebrating 20,000 posts of dubious quality.)
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To: Gamecock
Not knowing if there are Roman Catholic nuances tied to that statement, on the surface, I agree.

I'm a Catholic, and the nuances are not there, except to the degree that Catholics like myself would tend to put them within a Catholic framework.

A non-Catholic who believes in repentance would have to examine his conscience so that his repentance would be more than just a vague, "I'm a sinner." Certainly at Final Judgment our specific sins will be revealed to all.

For Catholics, even outside of sacramental Confession, it is good to practice an Act of Contrition, which is a way to pray "directly to God" specifically for forgiveness of sins. The first stage of making a good Act of Contrition requires such reflection.

Although an Act of Contrition does not have to be said an exact certain way, it must involve true sorrow for sins committed, and not only because of the threat of Divine punishment, but because they are offensive to the all-good God. Finally, it ought to include a resolution to sin no more, and to avoid the things that lead to sin.
14 posted on 01/15/2014 6:17:11 PM PST by Dr. Sivana (“The only thing that can save us is if Kerry wins the Nobel prize and leaves us alone.”-Moshe Yaal)
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To: Gamecock
Not knowing if there are Roman Catholic nuances tied to that statement, on the surface, I agree.

There's not any particularly nefarious papist nuances.

For me, I evaluate my thoughts and conduct (acts of commission and omission) in light of the 10 commandments, the 7 precepts of the Church (which I fully recognize that non-Catholics would not recognize), the four cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude) and the three theological virtues (faith, hope, charity).

I briefly (informally) run through the above list nightly before my prayers and generally will do so in a more disciplined fashion on a weekly basis.

Other people may have other "templates" (for lack of a better word).

20 posted on 01/15/2014 6:35:58 PM PST by markomalley (Nothing emboldens the wicked so greatly as the lack of courage on the part of the good -- Leo XIII)
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To: Gamecock

Perhaps this is relevant:

2 Corinthians 13:4-5 KJV

For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

2 Peter 1:4-12 KJV

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.


31 posted on 01/15/2014 8:01:28 PM PST by redleghunter
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To: Gamecock
Not knowing if there are Roman Catholic nuances tied to that statement, on the surface, I agree

I don't know if this will make it easier to accept but Socrates said: "The unexamined life is not worth living"

No matter what your belief (or non-belief) system is, we owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to insure that we are living an upright life. The example we set will always have unintended consequences.

66 posted on 01/16/2014 1:44:13 AM PST by verga (Poor spiritual health often leads to poor physical and mental health)
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