Accept criticism gratefully but test it carefully. We are not obliged to put into practice every criticism that’s given to us. Sometimes the criticism is false. But we certainly must welcome it, be grateful for it, test it. And St. John Chrysostom said, even when we’re accused of something, even if we think it’s not …
Tag: Fr. Thomas Hopko
Maxim Week 44
When I was working on this I decided to ask for help from my family. This is a tough one to elaborate on. Father Thomas doesn't say much more about this Maxim. He does say this, which is heard in the original podcast... Don’t defend or justify yourself. The Saints say: “Those who try to …
Maxim Week 43
Don’t try to convince anyone of anything. Once and for all, we have to stop trying to teach other people. I’m not trying to teach you now, I hope. I’m just trying to tell you what I think is true. Then you can do with it, what you want. But it can’t be my desire …
Maxim Week 42
Good Morning! We are back from the mountain! What a glorious time it was. It never ceases to amaze me, every single time I see her. Even after 25 years of living here. She is not just another landscape. More on that later. Today we hear from Fr. Thomas Hopko again, on his 42nd Maxim …
Maxim Week 41
Welcome, once again, to Maxim Monday. This week we hear Fr. Thomas Hopko tell us: Don’t seek or expect praise from anyone or pity from anyone. I and my friend Paul Lazar used to call it the “PP.” No praise. No pity. We always want to have people to think: “Oh, how wonderful you are” …
Maxim Week 40
Don’t compare yourself with anyone. The Last Judgment is not on a curve. God doesn’t compare us one to another. Each one of us stands according to who we are, what we have received, what we have been given, and what our vocation is. Fr. Thomas Hopko About a year ago I wrote a post …
Maxim Week 39
Don’t complain, grumble, murmur, or whine. Complaining, thinking, looking at the faults of others, we work during Lent and all our life to stop doing that. We pay attention to ourselves. Fr. Thomas Hopko This week's Maxim really is a good one. One that I really need to hear and maybe reflect on how much …
Maxim Monday Week 38
Christ is Risen! This week's Maxim seems so self-explanatory. Fr. Thomas says it all. I have nothing more that I could add to it. You can’t dialogue with lust and pornea and immorality of the flesh. It always wins. It always has the arguments on its side. Flee it at its first appearance. Fr. Thomas …
Maxim Monday Week 37
Christ is Risen! Once and for all, we have to stop trying to figure things out. God can illumine our mind and give us insight into the nature of things, but we can’t figure it out. We don’t have the equipment to do it, and we should stop trying. Father Thomas Hopko I have been …
Maxim Monday Week 36
Welcome back to Maxim Mondays! After a very long break I determined that I need to begin again this discussion of the 55 Maxims I started well over a year ago. I have had two reminders over this past weekend that has brought up this wonderful list that Fr. Thomas Hopko, of blessed memory, created …
