Living in the World

— Some people living carelessly in the world have asked me; “We have wives and are beset with social cares, and how can we lead the solitary life?” I replied to them: “Do all the good you can; do not speak evil of anyone; do not steal from anyone; do not lie to anyone; do not be arrogant towards anyone; do not hate anyone; do not be absent from the divine services; be compassionate to the needy; do not offend anyone; do not wreck another man’s domestic happiness, and be content with what your own wives can give you. If you behave in this way, you will not be far from the Kingdom of Heaven.”

~ St. John Climacus, Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step One

Comments

[Laura]

Wow...at first I wanted to say, "well, that's a relief" and then I thought about actually <i>doing</i> everything St. John prescribed...and I got a little scared...

[Tracy]

:) Yeah. It seemed simple to me at first, too, and then I started really thinking about what was being asked, especially that "Do all the good you can" at the very top of the list. Yikes.

The next thing I realized was that this is Step ONE. LOL! Lord have mercy! :-)

(Thank God He helps -- and that we don't have to get there in a day, just keep plugging away.)