40 Maxims for Christian Living in the New Year
January 3rd, 2010 by webmaster
By Father Thomas Hopko
(reprinted from the St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church monthly bulletin)
- Be always with Christ and trust God in everything.
- Go to Church, confession and communion regularly.
- Read the Scriptures regularly.
- Spend some time in silence each day.
- Pray as you can and not as you want.
- Keep a rule of prayer.
- Say the Lord’s Prayer several times a day.
- Do some prostrations when you pray.
- Have a short prayer (like the Jesus Prayer) that you constantly repeat when your mind is not occupied with other things.
- Cultivate communion with the saints.
- Have a daily schedule of activities, avoiding whim and caprice.
- Have a healthy, wholesome hobby.
- Eat good foods in moderation. Fast as the Church teaches.
- Exercise regularly.
- Read good books a little at a time.
- Face reality. Don’t get lost in imagination and fantasy.
- Be totally honest, first of all with yourself.
- Do your work.
- Do the most difficult and painful things first.
- Be faithful in little things.
- Do acts of mercy and compassion secretly.
- Be grateful in all things.
- Be cheerful.
- Be simple, hidden and quiet. Never draw attention to yourself.
- Be awake and attentive, fully present where you are.
- Be polite with everyone.
- Listen carefully when people speak to you.
- When speaking, speak simply, clearly, firmly and directly.
- Don’t complain, grumble, murmur or whine.
- Accept criticism gratefully and test it carefully.
- Don’t defend or justify yourself.
- Don’t seek or expect either pity or praise from others.
- Be strict with yourself and merciful with others.
- Don’t compare yourself with anyone else.
- Don’t judge anyone for anything.
- Give advice only when asked or obligated to do so.
- Have no expectations except to be fiercely tempted to your last breath.
- Endure the trial of yourself and your own faults and sins serenely, knowing that God’s mercy is greater than your wretchedness.
- Get help when you need it, without fear or shame.
- When you fall, get up immediately and start over.
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