Monday, March 17, 2008

The Daily Decalogue of Blessed John XXIII ...

1. Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once.

2. Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance; I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behavior; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to disciple anyone except myself.

3. Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world, but also in this one.

4 Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes.

5. Only for today, I will devote ten minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading in necessary to the life of the soul.

6. Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it.

7. Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and if my feeling are hurt, I will make sure that no one notices.

8. Only for today, I will make a plan for myself; i may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.

9. Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good Providence of God cares for me as not else who exists in this world.

10. Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed, for twelve hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life.

http://www.traditio.com/papal/john23.jpg

Thank you for your wisdom and your love.

Pray for us, Papa.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I know AA use those points..I didn't know they came from Pope John XXiii...is that definite??

Joyful Catholic said...

Hi Jackie,

It seems to be. I found it at various places. Here's one of them:
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/card-bertone/2006/documents/rc_seg-st_20061011_john-xxiii_en.html

Joyful Catholic said...

Looks like the entire url didn't get in the comment. Probably enough to get you to it, though. Blessings.