For What It's Worth by Erin

The Instruments of Good Works… Do you ever wish you had a rule for your life? You know, simple snippets of wisdom to help guide your daily actions?

How about this:
 

First, love the Lord God with your whole heart, your whole soul and all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.

That would be an awesome place to start.

 

Renounce yourself in order to follow Christ; discipline your body, do not pamper yourself. You must relieve the lot of the poor.

But Jesus must be at the center.

 

Your way of acting should be different from the world’s way; the love of Christ must come before all else. You are not to act in anger. Rid your heart of all deceit. Never turn away when someone needs your love. You must not be proud. Place your hope in God alone. Live in fear of judgement day. Yearn for
everlasting life with holy desire. Listen readily to holy reading and devote yourself often to prayer.

Do not gratify the promptings of the flesh; hate the urgings of self will. Do not aspire to be called holy before you really are. Live by God’s commandments every day; treasure chastity, harbor neither hatred nor jealousy of anyone and do nothing out of envy. Shun arrogance.

 

Respect your elders and love the young. Pray for your enemies out of love for Christ. And finally, never lose hope in God’s mercy. These then are the tools of the spiritual craft. When we have used them without ceasing, our wages will be the reward the Lord has promised. What eye has not seen nor ear heard, God has prepared for those who love Him.