To the Ends of the Earth: Character – Catholic Men’s Devotionals, Week 10 – Man of Conscience

Search me, O God, and know my heart!

   Try me and know my thoughts!

And see if there be any wicked way in me,

   and lead me in the way everlasting!

Psalm 139:23-24

If we want to be men of integrity, witnesses to Christ’s redeeming sacrifice on the cross, we must be willing to examine ourselves in order to right the wrongs we have done. We need to make a regular examination of conscience, especially before we approach the throne of grace in Confession. For Catholic men, getting real with our sin is vital to our identity. It is tempting for us to deny or explain away our sin in order to save face. Yet true men — and true disciples — are unafraid to face the light of God’s cleansing love. As we examine our lives and surrender to God’s healing, we become transparent, transformed witnesses who can walk faithfully with others along the path of salvation.

Psalm 139 is one of the most powerful passages about self-examination. Let us consider what this majestic Scripture passage has to teach us about honest and thorough examination of conscience:

1.         God’s probing love reveals everything about us.

God has knit us together in our mothers’ wombs. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He longs for us to surrender our lives to him so that he can heal us of our sins.

2.         Though God is beyond us, he still chooses to be near and dear to the depths of our discerning hearts.

Whether we rise or rest, God is there. Though he knows us in the most intimate way, we cannot fully grasp his greatness. We must surrender to his discerning gaze in order to find forgiveness and renewal.

3.         We cannot hide from God’s mercy.

So often we run from the light of God, afraid that we will face his judgment and be overwhelmed by it. But the truth is, when we examine ourselves in God’s radiance, we find mercy and discover the Father’s gentle, disciplining hand.

4.         Reconciliation reconnects us to the design that God has for our lives.

As we consider our failings, we must also contemplate what God has in store for us and how our lives will serve to further his holy plans.

5.         Our examination helps lead us to a deep hatred of sin.

Too often, we play with sin like children play with fire. Regularly examining our conscience allows us to see our sin for the hateful reality it is. In this light we can forsake our failures so that God can work in us.

A Call to Action

Each day, ask God to test you, to search your wayward heart, and show you where you are going astray. Ask him to lead you along the path of salvation. Meditate on your failings and sins so that Christ can display his forgiving love and perfect plan for your life. This week, as you become caught up in that discerning discipline, strive to cast out selfishness and sin so that you can walk more fully in the way of salvation.

You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth devotionals HERE