Forming our Consciences

          The formation of our conscience is the highest goal for a Christian.  At times we all give into thinking that what we want, or what feels right for me, is conscience.   But conscience is very complex and develops slowly during our lives.  Two major players in the development of our soul are shame and guilt.

          Shame begins with an “S,” as does the word Satan.  This is a good place to start in understanding shame.  Remember in Genesis when God says to Adam & Eve:  “who told you that you were naked?”  This shaming and blaming did not come from God but from the evil one.  Shame can lead us to believe that we are basically bad.  When we do that, we have re-created ourselves into something less than the way God made us.  When we think that we are badly made, the devil has remade us in shame.  Shame, blame, and put downs, are not from God.  This is where lots of gossip, little lies, envy, and so on come from. 

          Guilt on the other hand—starting with a “G”—is from God.   Only with guilt will we have a conscience.   This is the development of the realization that we are created in goodness and are called to do good.   When we are not causing and building good, we’re sinning. 

          Correcting someone saying they are bad as with shame is much different than correcting someone saying that they made a bad decision.  Our identity of holiness will depend on this distinction.  Shame comes from Satan.  Guilt comes from God.

          When we live in shame, we will never feel forgiven.  We cannot take criticism because we are always condemning ourselves or someone else.

 

          When we think everything we do is wrong, that is scrupulosity.  When we think that we can do no wrong, we are a sociopath.   Centered between these two extremes is the healthy place where we are called to live.  It is here that we recognize that we truly are each other’s keeper, and are all called to create and build the common good. 

          The Lenten season is just around the corner calling us home to forgiveness.  Saturday Confessions are being extended from 2:30 until 3:45 PM.   On Friday evenings during Lent all the churches of the Archdiocese will have the light on to welcome us home.  A priest will be available on Friday evenings to hear confessions from 6:30 until 8:00 PM.  Lent is a season of preparation for our journey with Jesus to the great Easter feast.  What a wonderful way to begin our preparation – one in reconciliation with God.