Only For Today
Monday, October 11th, was the Feast of St. John XXIII. He was was Pope from 1958-1963.
Some interesting facts about this amazing, faith-filled Saint.
- He was a papal diplomat in 1925 in Bulgaria, Turkey, and France.
2. With the assistance of Germany’s ambassador to Turkey, he helped save approximately 24,000 Jewish people when he was Archbishop Roncalli.
3. He took his work seriously but not himself. Pope John XXIII had a quick wit which was appreciated by the many political and religious leaders he met from around the world.
4. He was deeply involved in efforts to resolve the Cuban missile crisis.
5. Saint John XXIII’s most famous encyclicals were Mother and Teacher (1961) and Peace on Earth (1963).
6. He expanded the membership in the College of Cardinals, making it more international.
7. During his address at the Second Vatican Council, he criticized the “prophets of doom” who “in these modern times see nothing but prevarication and ruin.” Pope John XXIII said, “The Church has always opposed…errors. Nowadays, however, the Spouse of Christ prefers to make use of the medicine of mercy rather than severity.”
Below are inspirational, holy, and wise words to live by that were written by Saint John XXIII. This is something he read/lived every day. I believe there are many virtues we would embrace and just as many vices we would let go if we knew it was only for one day. In reality, that is all we are promised.
ONLY FOR TODAY
- 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 discipline 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 10 minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is 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 feelings 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 no one 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 12 hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life.
This is how we can put Pope John’s hope for every Christian into practice: “Every believer in this world must be a spark of light, a core of love, life-giving leaven in the mass: and the more he is so, the more he will live, in his innermost depths, in communion with God”. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone
Be assured of my prayers for you and I am most grateful for yours!
This was a beautiful post, Bonnie. I enjoyed learning more about St. John XXIII. Reading your ‘Only for today’ list was very inspirational, helpful, and heartfelt. In the craziness of my days, I definitely need to apply your list to have more meaningful, calm, and positive days!
I greatly appreciate your very sweet and authentic comment! I too had not realized that St. John XXIII helped rescue 24,000 Jewish people! His life and words are inspiring for all of us! I am grateful to God that his “Only For Today” brought you encouragement too! God bless you and know that you are in my prayers!