In today’s Gospel Jesus gives us the framework for Christian life with the beatitudes. These few and radical phrases become the law of the new covenant, the foundation, the guiding principle of Christian life.
Jesus teaches us saying that we are blessed by God when we are poor in spirit, when we are humble; when we mourn, when we are meek, when we seek righteousness and justice, when we are merciful, when we are pure of heart, when we are peacemakers, and when we are persecuted for the sake of righteousness.
The beatitudes are foolishness for the world, yet they are the foundation of Christian living. They are the law of the new covenant, the law of Jesus that we are invited to observe and keep. The beatitudes turn upside down the logic of the world, praising mercy and meekness, poverty of spirit and purity, things that the world often looks down upon.
Unfortunately not all people in the world have heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we have, and do not have the beatitudes as their guiding principle. Yet, every human being has been created by the same one God, the God of Jesus Christ. Every person, regardless of race or religion is made in the image and likeness of the same one true God. Every person reflects the glory of the one true God and God wills the salvation of all, not just Christians.
Having created and fashioned every human being, God has given every person a guide, an internal law. This imprint of God in every person is there for the benefit of the person, so every human being has at least a ‘gut feeling’ of what is right or wrong. This we call conscience. We all have it.
Everyone recognizes certain things as right and others as wrong. This isn’t due to common agreement or popular vote, but because everyone recognizes the goodness or evil itself.
Conscience is the voice of God deep within us guiding us. Our conscience is given, yet it is strengthened and shaped throughout our lives. This begins at home when mom and dad teach their children ‘right’ from ‘wrong.’ Parents help small children realize they are not the center of the universe teaching them how to share and take turns. They also teach them about God, so that no one may boast before God. Babies sure are cute, but when they are hungry or their diaper is dirty, they become the center of the universe and they will cry nonstop. Life is about realizing we are not the center of the world and recognizing the presence of God and fellow human beings.
It is important to strengthen consciences particularly of children, that way it remains correct and strong throughout their lives. Here lies the shared responsibility of parents and teachers, in particular teachers at Catholic schools. Teachers are called not only to provide information to children, but to help them grow as developing human beings aware of God and neighbor. Teachers play a role in helping children develop a good conscience.
When we do wrong, our conscience convicts us. God convicts us of wrong doing for one reason alone: so we may seek reconciliation with him and neighbor. Our conscience is present so we may always choose the good and when we err, to quickly make amends. God doesn’t want to hold past mistakes over our heads … he convicts us so we may repent. The enemy, the devil, however, accuses us of past sin to strike fear and discouragement and keep us from seeking forgiveness.
A good examination of conscience is essential for a good confession. Before entering the confessional, one must have thought through the time elapsed since one’s previous confession asking: How have I offended God, myself and others? What attitudes do I have that keep me away from God?
This upcoming Wednesday we will begin hearing confessions every Wednesday from 4:45 to 5:45pm. We will have an examination of conscience available for everyone here at the Church based on the beatitudes of the Gospel. As I said already, they are the guiding principle of Christian life, so they ought to be present when we examine our Christian discipleship.
What better place to examine our consciences that here at Mass when we receive the Eucharist. Ask the Lord himself when he comes to dwell in your soul to help you by convicting you of your sins, that you may see them and feel sorrow for them. Ask the Lord for strength and wisdom. Ask him to wipe away any fear or hesitation. Confession is an encounter with the boundless mercy of God in the same way the Eucharist is.
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