Today we continue from Only for today – Part 1, sharing the next five of the Ten Commandments for Daily Living that Saint John XXIII (Angelo Roncalli) wrote for himself and which I think are a practical application of the Beatitudes:
- Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it.
- Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and if my feelings are hurt, I will make sure that no one notices.
- 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.
- Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world does.
- 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 12 hours, I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life.
To conclude, here is Saint John XXIII’s all-embracing resolution:
“I want to be kind, today and always, to everyone.”
What Saint John XXIII did is what Scripture urges us all to do, namely, to inscribe the Commandments into the flesh of our hearts by making them a practical guide for our lives.
May I suggest a “homework” assignment this week? I invite you to read the Beatitudes, and then write your own 10 commandments as Saint John XXIII did — and prepare to become a saint.
Fr Michael Smith SJ
Daughters of Divine Zeal Vocations 