Lent 2026
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It’s common in the life of a Christian to receive a burst of energy where you feel zealous for the Kingdom of God and want to take the world by storm. However, that burst can quickly diminish and you are left wondering later on whether you really even want to become a saint.
In those moments, it is helpful to fall back on a set of rules or maxims that can remind you of what you need to do each day to draw closer to God.
St. John XXIII had his own set of daily resolutions that he reportedly read each morning to keep his eyes focused on God.
In 2006, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone shared these resolutions in a homily on the feast of John XXIII, calling them "the daily decalogue of Pope John XXIII."
It consists of 10 maxims for everyday life -- some of which are similar to the "just for today" resolutions that advice columnist Dear Abby ran for many years on New Year's Day -- which 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.'"
If you need some daily inspiration, check out St. John XXIII’s “daily decalogue.”
Daily Decalogue of St. 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 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.
