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the greatest commandment
"...You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.This is the greatest and first commandment.
And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
- Matthew 22:37-40
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The Ten Commandments and the Sacrament of Reconciliation: Examination of Conscience
God gave us commandments to teach us how to love God and one another. We can find the commandments in the Bible. See how they can guide your examination of conscience...
1. “I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have any strange gods before Me.”Do I love God with all my heart? Am I truly thankful for the gift of God's love for me? Do I show this by loving others?
2. “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.”
Do I ever use God's or Jesus' name when I am angry? Do I always use the names of God and Jesus with respect and love?
3. “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.”
Do I honor God by what I do on Sundays? Do I spend time in prayer with my family and with the people of God, the Church, at Mass?
4. “Honor thy father and mother.”
Do I love, respect, and obey my parents and others who care for me? Do my words and actions show this all the time?
5. “Thou shalt not kill.”
Do I show respect for the gift of life by caring for all of God's creatures, especially people? Have I ever wanted to harm or hurt anyone?
6. “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”
Do I respect my own body and the bodies of others as gifts from God? Do I use my body in ways that would please God?
7. “Thou shalt not steal.”
Have I ever take something that belongs to someone else? Am I as careful with other people's things as I am with my own things?
8. “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”
Do I always tell the truth? Do I ever lie or hurt anyone by what I say?
9. “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.”
Am I ever jealous of someone else's family? Am I grateful for the love that my own family shows me?
10. “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.”
Am I thankful for all that I have? Am I ever jealous or greedy?
