Our Humanity

This is a nice meditation which I received through the courtesy of Father Peter. I would like to share it with all of the members of the CRSPChat. It really is good food for thought.

Our Humanity

We are all born as sons and daughters of Adam and so we are marked with Adam's instincts. These tendencies within each may vary in number and intensity. In the 12th chapter of his constitutions, St. Anthony M. Zaccaria states that "the major enemy is within themselves; in fact, it is themselves". He speaks of our natural attitudes and core values which lie deep within our beings.

St. Paul says "I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not intend to do". (Rom. 7:19) At times, we may want to do one thing but soon realize we have done quite the opposite. It is the enemy within; the demons we carry along with us. It takes much practice to keep them "on hold".

We must remember we are weak and at times may slip and these natural tendencies may prevail. Our selfishness could sneak upon us by placing the warmest cup of coffee at our place. We can allow our prejudice to have its way by our laughter at a certain joke. These activities seem to be done unconsciously.

We must keep our conscience and our consciousness alert to ward off these unconscious attacks from these foul attitudes and tendencies. Bells should go off in our head telling us "Warning! Beware! Danger Approching!"

It is very difficult, especially at the beginning, to honestly admit to these tendencies, attitudes, and shortcomings. The saints themselves have taken years to do such self-examination and the task is never complete. One of the best ways to accomplish it is to ask our friends, family members (especially siblings), and most definitely those with whom we do not get along to point out to us such tendencies, attitudes, and shortcomings that may exist within us. With such information, it will become easier to examine our conscience.

I implore you to begin a daily examination of conscience. Ask yourself when felt most loved and also most loving during the day. Then see when you felt the least loved and the least loving. Then look at the attitude behind these in order to reveal some inner tendencies that exist at the core your being.

This is an excellent meditation. In my own spiritual life, I have learned to embrace my humanity knowing that I do indeed have faults. A great way to examine one's conscience is during Night Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours. This is an excellent aid in examing ourselves at the end of the day.

I would like to thank Father Peter for sharing this meditation with me!