Seven swans a-swimming: The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord
For the first time in my life, I was not under the long umbrella of Eastern Standard Time when the ball dropped in New York City. Spending New Year's on the West coast, in Seattle, was rather disorienting for this East Coast girl. That geographic vertigo is my excuse for my lack a resolution as of this morning.
Half of Americans say that they have resolutions to change in 2008. According Franklin Covey’s New Year’s Resolution Survey, the top three resolutions are getting out of debt or saving money, losing weight and developing a healthy habit.
To which all I can say is student loans, cream cheese and internet addiction.
The late Jesuit priest Anthony De Mello developed the following examination of conscience which I have read many times but never completed. I’ve been afraid of it. But today, with a prayer to the Holy Spirit and a hope that I may gain clarity for 2008, I will take it on. For those of you also without resolution, or in need of a little direction, here is that exercise:
I imagine that today I am to die. I ask for time to be alone and write down for my friends a sort of testament for which the points that follow could serve as chapter titles.1. These things I have loved in life: things I have tasted, looked at, smelled, heard, touched.
2. These experiences I have cherished:
3. These ideas have brought me liberation:
4. These beliefs I have outgrown:
5. These convictions I have lived by:
6. These are the things I have lived for:
7. These insights I have gained in the school of life: insights into God, the world, human nature, Jesus Christ, love, religion, prayer.
8. These risks I took, these dangers I have courted:
9. These sufferings have seasoned me:
10. These lessons life has taught me:
11. These influences have shaped my life: persons, occupations, books, events.
12. These Scripture texts have lit my path:
13. These things I regret about my life:
14. These are my life’s achievements:
15. These persons are enshrined within my heart:
16. These are my unfulfilled desires:I choose an ending for this document: A poem—my own or someone else’s; or a prayer;
a sketch or a picture from a magazine; a Scripture text; or anything that I judge would be an apt conclusion to my testament.
Comments (7)
You guys are being really rude to her. This is a serious thing and I'm actually doing a testament project on it as well. I'm making a scrapbook. You guys shouldn't take things so seriously. And it's still an examination of one's conscience. Any time someone reflects on their conscience it's an examination of conscience. Way to go Elizabeth! I'm with you!
Posted April 21, 2008 11:48 PM
Posted on April 21, 2008 23:48
This is not an examination of conscience. An examination of conscience is when you recall your sins and resolve not to commit them again. This is an exercise in self-absorption. Lose the Jesuits, they're a bunch of pansies.
Posted January 3, 2008 9:05 AM
Posted on January 3, 2008 09:05
17. Will I always be this self-absorbed?
Posted January 3, 2008 8:20 AM
Posted on January 3, 2008 08:20
Fear of 'the lord' is a GIFT?
Since when has it considered a good thing to have been brainwashed, suckered into fearing an invisible allpowerful allknowing sky-god whom nobody but the insane ever sees or hears?
I appreciate every day with my little girl, and I'll waste no time on useless theories of deities unworthy. If it makes you happy, I'm glad for you. I just wish you people would stop talking about it in public.
Posted January 2, 2008 10:44 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 22:44
This is a beautiful set of questions and a great way to start the New Year. For my easily-distracted self, it may take a little while to complete, but I look forward to it. Thanks so much!
God bless.
Posted January 2, 2008 12:36 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 12:36
This is a beautiful set of questions and a great way to start the New Year. For my easily-distracted self, it may take a little while to complete, but I look forward to it. Thanks so much!
God bless.
Posted January 2, 2008 12:36 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 12:36
I'm grateful for every day. You can be connected to the universe spiritually without worshiping a magical being in the clouds, believe it or not.
I would certainly be happier and more a peace if this country's Christians hadn't involved us in a pointless, bloody, neverending war that has lead to the death of tens of thousands of innocent people.
Posted January 2, 2008 10:57 AM
Posted on January 2, 2008 10:57