One of the lessons of history tells us that movements that we consider truly horrific in the course of human history is the fact that these movements were always clothed under the guise of some greater good. Today’s reading from the prophet Micah describes the sly plans of those “who work out evil on their couches.” Throughout history, the working out of evil has occurred when plans are made so a temporal good masks a deeper evil. It is for this reason why St. Ignatius was so concerned about establishing the clarity of human effort as directed towards God and creation is used as a means to this end, never as an end itself. A simple examination of conscience could and should be the simple but honest inquiry as to the motives of our actions