September 6, 2012 – Catechism 1776 – 1782

We must first be able to hear our conscience.  If we cannot hear it, it cannot be followed.  If we fill our life with noise to the point where there is no room left, we cannot hear our conscience instruct us.  Have you ever heard yourself say “I can’t even hear myself think”.  That is a point when we cannot begin to follow our conscience because we cannot hear it. 

I wonder how helpful it is to think of Jiminy Cricket in this section.  He was Pinocchio’s conscience.  There was a difference between when Pinocchio ignored advice and when he couldn’t even hear the advice to follow.  Before we ever get to the idea of forming our conscience, we need to be able to hear it.  Once you are able to hear it, you can know if it needs to be altered by examining it.  An examination of your conscience is impossible if you aren’t able to hear and know what your conscience is saying.