Examination of conscience based on the Beatitudes

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit:

Do I recognise that the world is God's-not mine?
Do I thank Him for it?
Do I express my thanks in my weekly worship?
Does the world centre around me?

2. Blessed are the meek:

Do I recognise that every person is created by God and equally loved by Him?
Does my behaviour reflect this realisation?
Do I resent criticism?
Do I take out my impatience on those who are weak and least likely to fight back?

3. Blessed are they that mourn:

Do I recognise that every person is created as frail as myself and is as much in need of help and encouragement?
Am I sensitive to the real needs of others?
Do I realise the power of my words and actions to heal or to harm?
Am I indifferent to the misfortune of others?

4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice:

Do I recognise that all creation is for the good of every person and equally to be enjoyed by all?
Do I steal from others the goods or the good name which belong to them?
Am I lazy?

5. Blessed are the merciful:

Do I recognise that I am in need of mercy?
Do I ever see goodness in others?
Do I make hasty judgements?
Am I grateful for the forgiveness I receive from others?

6. Blessed are the clean of heart:

Do I recognise that the heart will only rest when it is centred on God?
Do I use others or try to posess them for my own satisfaction?
Do I abuse the gift of sex to satisfy my own ego?

7. Blessed are the peacemakers:

Do I recognise the source of peace: the dignity God has given me in making me one of his adopted children?
Do I enjoy making trouble for others?
Am I the kind of person who needs to be humoured?

8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake:

Do I recognise that it is in suffering that we enter most deeply into the mind of Christ?
Do I ever do penance to make up for the damage caused by my sins?
Do I resent suffering so that it becomes a barrier between myself and God?