Post by Pietro on Mar 3, 2005 10:01:41 GMT -5
I think I started this thread because of my rational analytic need to measure progress. Do you suppose that could really be done? Most of us have consciously been on a spiritual journey for many years. How do we know that we are becoming any holier, making any progress, growing spiritually? I knew a guy once who thought he was almost perfect. Of course he knew that would involve some degree of humility so he quite easily admitted that he was a sinner. But he had a very difficult time identifying his specific sins. He could be very rude and judgmental but he couldn’t see that. As long as his sins were kept general “sins” and not specific things to work on he was satisfied.
Of course the tradition of examination of conscience is the main tool for this inner search for self knowledge. We usually use some form of it before the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Here are a few examples:
www.cin.org/avatar/examcon.html
www.therealpresence.org/archives/Sacraments/Sacraments_005.htm
www.theworkofgod.org/Library/examine.htm
I am wondering though if there are not some other questions that can be asked on a yearly basis to help reflect on our spiritual growth. Things like:
Do I have a deeper sense of love for all people than I did last year at this time? How well do I express it?
Do I spend as much time as I need in prayer? Am I open to new forms of Prayer? Has my prayer been more of listening for God or telling God?
Is my temper under control? Does a deep peace permeate my thoughts, words, and deeds?
Do I see God more clearly? Have a more extended awareness of God’s presence?
Do I love God or just my personal image of God, all the surrounds it, what I need God to be for me? Has my image of God changed?
Do people seem to like to be around me? Do I attract people who seem holy?
Am I closer to Jesus? How deeply do I know him? What can I do to grow in this relationship with him?
Any other suggestions?
Of course the tradition of examination of conscience is the main tool for this inner search for self knowledge. We usually use some form of it before the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Here are a few examples:
www.cin.org/avatar/examcon.html
www.therealpresence.org/archives/Sacraments/Sacraments_005.htm
www.theworkofgod.org/Library/examine.htm
I am wondering though if there are not some other questions that can be asked on a yearly basis to help reflect on our spiritual growth. Things like:
Do I have a deeper sense of love for all people than I did last year at this time? How well do I express it?
Do I spend as much time as I need in prayer? Am I open to new forms of Prayer? Has my prayer been more of listening for God or telling God?
Is my temper under control? Does a deep peace permeate my thoughts, words, and deeds?
Do I see God more clearly? Have a more extended awareness of God’s presence?
Do I love God or just my personal image of God, all the surrounds it, what I need God to be for me? Has my image of God changed?
Do people seem to like to be around me? Do I attract people who seem holy?
Am I closer to Jesus? How deeply do I know him? What can I do to grow in this relationship with him?
Any other suggestions?