My dear brothers and sisters, today let us reflect on a spiritual practice that can sustain and
strengthen our families: the examination of the conscience. In our families, we often look outward
for the cause of our struggles and pain. We blame work, society, or even one another. Yet Jesus
gently reminds us that what truly shapes our actions and relationships flows from within. He
teaches us, 'what defiles us comes from within,' or 'Where your treasure is, there your heart will
be also (Mt 6:21).' If our hearts carry evil thoughts or cherish evil deeds, these will echo through
our households. But if we treasure love, patience, humility, and forgiveness, our homes become
places where grace can flourish.
The journey inward is never easy. Many of us fear confronting our own weaknesses. It feels safer
to identify the faults around us than to face the uncomfortable truth within. But examination of
conscience is not an exercise in shame—it is an act of courage. It helps us see ourselves clearly,
so we might be healed by God’s mercy. It transforms us from the inside out and enables us to build
stronger, more loving families.
A story is told of a couple in a small village. They loved each other deeply until war separated
them. When the husband returned, he was no longer the gentle man his wife once knew. He was
no longer humorous as before and seemed indifferent. Distressed, the wife sought help from a wise
sage known for making healing medicines. After listening, the sage told her, 'I can help, but I need
a fingernail of a leopard.' The task terrified her, but love gave her courage.
She went to the forest day after day. She saw zebras, antelopes, and birds—but no leopard. Still,
she did not give up. When the leopard eventually appeared, it ran at first. She returned daily,
leaving food, approaching slowly, patiently earning its trust. Over time, the wild and fearful
creature became gentle enough for her to pluck a nail. She brought it triumphantly to the sage. The
sage smiled and said, 'My daughter, you do not need a potion. The medicine is the lesson: the
patience, love, and gentleness you used to tame the leopard—use them to heal your home.
Our Families are healed not through force, anger, or blame, but through the treasures we nurture
in our hearts. Goodness attracts goodness. Forgiveness, when freely given, softens even the hardest
places. Compassion creates room for renewal. What we practice within ourselves becomes what
we offer to one another.
Holiness begins at home. It is found in the patience we show, the apologies we offer, the peace we
pursue, and the kindness we choose daily. Let us ask Christ to purify our hearts so that what flows
from us may bring healing, unity, and joy to our families. May we have the courage to look inward
and embrace the treasures that build up our relationships in love. May Christ’s grace and especially
through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes help us to eradicate deceitful, lustful, greedy,
malice, envious and all kinds of evils in our hearts. May we be renewed every moment and may
our hearts become dwelling place for God. Amen