In my last post, over two months ago, my final words were “God is first.  No exceptions.”  I would like to be able to proclaim my great success, but unfortunately it has been “Me first.  No exceptions.”  I have gone from several posts per week to one every couple of months.  I have abandoned my reflections of the Gospel readings, rarely even reading the daily Mass readings, and I haven’t reviewed any books or movies lately.  My prayer life has been lukewarm.  I only seem to devote time to God when I am finished with my own self indulgences.

I’m not sure what causes me to be so self-centered.  I only know that it’s a constant struggle to stay on the path to a spiritual and virtuous life.  As always, I am grateful for the limitless mercy of God.  This Lenten season, I am making a commitment to do a thorough examination of conscience every day.  My hope is that I will identify these selfish tendencies in the early stages and correct them before two more months go by.

So I’ll make this resolution once more.  In fact, I’ll keep making this resolution until I leave this life.  God is first.  No exceptions.