Monday, March 17, 2008 Speak Out: How did I deal with trials? Recollection pointers for Lent By Henry L. Yu, M.D.
IN OBSERVANCE of the Holy Week, aside from doing the Stations of the Cross, confession, fasting, abstinence, and other rituals, let us go into self-recollection and reflection. Let us try to look back and recall what happened in our lives the past 365 days of the year that was. Let us make a real honest-to-goodness self-examination and evaluation of ourselves that we may continue doing the good things and refrain from doing the undesirables, that we may become better persons that God has always wanted us to be. Here goes:
-- What were the obstacles and trials that came into my life? How did I deal with them?
-- What promises to God, people and myself did I break?
-- What were the occasions that I got angry or lost my patience?
-- What were the things that affected me most and really made me sad?
-- What were the bad things that I have done to myself and to others?
-- What were the mistakes I committed? What were the lessons I learned from these mistakes?
-- How many Sunday masses did I miss? For what reasons?
-- How many times did I help the needy? Who were they?
-- Which of my plans did not materialize? Why?
-- Who were the people that I have hurt through my words and actions?
-- Who were the people that I had misunderstanding with?
-- Who were the people I hated or disliked most?
-- Who were the people who died the past year? How did their deaths affect my life?
