May 9 Fri
How can I rectify and begin again?
We must foster hope, despite our defects.
God himself encourages our desires for love and dedication. Possumus! - We can! For we rely on his help, despite our frequent falls. He makes use of our mistakes to help us be humble and begin again.
"What does it matter that we stumble on the way, if we find in the pain of our fall the energy to pick ourselves up and go on with renewed vigor? Don't forget that a saint is not a person who never falls, but rather the one who never fails to get up again, humbly and with holy stubbornness.
If the Book of Proverbs says that the just man falls seven times a day, who are we, poor creatures, you and I, to be surprised or discouraged by our weaknesses and falls? We will be able to keep going ahead, if only we seek our fortitude in him who says: ‘Come to me, all who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest.’ Thank you, Lord, because you, and you alone, my God, have always been my strength, my refuge, and my support."
Our hope must rest on God's desire to share his holiness with us. St Josemaría teaches: “If you want to progress in the interior life, be humble. Turn constantly and confidently to the help of our Lord and of his Blessed Mother, who is your mother too. No matter how much the still open wound of your latest fall may hurt, embrace the cross once more and, calmly, without getting upset, say: ‘With your help, Lord, I'll fight, so as not to be held back. I'll respond faithfully to your invitations. I won't be afraid of steep climbs, nor of the apparent monotony of my daily work, nor of the thistles and loose stones on the way. I know that I am aided by your mercy and that, at the end of the road, I will find eternal happiness, full of joy and love forever and ever.’"
"Therefore, with our heart now fully enkindled, we tell God ‘Yes’, that we want to be faithful and are ready for any sacrifice; we should add: Jesus, with your grace; Mother of mine, with your help. I'm so weak and prone to error, to small mistakes, that I see myself capable of committing big ones, if you leave me. I know I shall succeed, not because I am sure of myself, Jesus, but because I am sure of you."
These good resolutions must be followed by a daily effort to begin again, preparing yourself for the next day's struggle by doing the daily Examination of Conscience.
How can I make the EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE (every evening)?
Make a brief examination of conscience before going to rest at night. Two or three minutes are enough.
• Place yourself in the presence of God, recognizing his strength and your weakness. Tell him: “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.”
• Ask your guardian angel for light to acknowledge your defects and virtues: What have I done wrong? What have I done right? What could I have done better?
• Examine your conscience with sincerity:
Did I often consider that God is my Father? Did I offer him my work? Did I make good use of my time? Did I pray slowly and with attention?
Did I try to make life pleasant for other people? Did I criticize anyone? Was I forgiving? Did I pray and offer some sacrifices for the Church, the Pope and for all those around me?
Did I allow myself to be carried away by sensuality? By pride?
• Sorrow. Make an act of contrition, asking our Lord’s pardon.
• Resolution. Make a specific resolution for tomorrow:
Staying away from certain temptations.
Avoiding some specific faults.
Exerting special effort to practice some virtue.
Taking advantage of occasions for improvement.
• Pray three Hail Marys to the Virgin Mary asking for the virtue of purity for yourself and your loved ones.