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.