Monday, January 3, 2011

Fr. Thomas Hopko's 40 Maxims for Christian Living

In the spirit of new year's resolutions, the following 40 maxims were included with our church bulletin this past Sunday. I found them very inspiring and convicting; I hope you do too.
  • 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.