May 18–Blizzard Warning in Wyoming and severe weather throughout the central part of the country. I wonder what the weather is like in Cancun today. I had the blessing to be there last December, and it was beautiful. It would be worth the trip to just go back to the two churches I had the pleasure of visiting.
During my recovery from cancer surgery over the last eight weeks, I have spent a great deal of time engaged in spiritual reading. What a blessing that has been. In addition to my own reading, I have also started my second trip through “The Bible in a Year” with Fr. Mike Schmitz. It was a tremendous blessing the first time I did it. I am already walking away with new insights the second time around. Being forced to slow down does have some benefits.
People sometimes ask me what I am reading. In the last three weeks I have completed these selections.
Why these selections? I read Soulwinning many years ago. One statistic still stays etched in my mind from all those years ago. The Moody Bible Institute shared a statistic that only about 5% of Christians will ever lead another soul to Christ. Although this book is written from a Protestant perspective, the reason I chose to read it again was because of the missionary zeal contained within the pages. There are doctrinal difficulties in the text, but I was not reading it for doctrine and dogma. I was trying to capture the zeal and fervor.
Trustful Surrender is something I wanted to study because of current life circumstances. I thought I was in a particular place in life to more fully understand surrendering to Divine Providence.
Radiating Christ–that’s the goal.
Contemplative Enigmas–Silence and solitude are much needed in life but can seem quite elusive in our harried world. This book raised my awareness of being present to God at all times.
The Wounded Healer–I thought the title described me.
Spiritual Combat Revisited–I wanted to raise the bar on being vigilant in avoiding sin and growing in virtue.
Sacred Fire–It describes in an amazing way the two different parts of our life. I am definitely in the second part of life of trying to give my life away. How do I build others up? This process also includes preparing to give my death away. This was a unique perspective on preparing for a good and holy death.
What am I reading now?
Yes, I struggle to just read one book from cover to cover. I tackle multiple titles at once. The Sacred Heart of Jesus books and The Glories of Divine Grace are intricately connected in so many ways. I want to be sure I celebrate the Sacred Heart of Jesus well during the month of June and always.
Spiritual Masters reminds me that we have a treasure chest of wisdom from those who have gone before us. I don’t have to figure it all out on my own.
The book by Curtis Martin is an easier read than the others. I use that for simple reminders about the basics of faith. I typically read that when I am tired just before going to sleep.
The last two books are from the writings of St. Alphonsus Liguori. I have been blessed immensely by his teachings. I have read Preparation for Death multiple times. Simple words of wisdom are scattered all throughout the text:
“Those who pray will be saved; those who pray not will be condemned.”
“If anyone believes in eternity and chooses not to become a saint should be confined to a madhouse.”
My dear friends, I encourage you to read, study, and pray with Sacred Scripture. Do spiritual reading. Keep your mind immersed in God’s Word and the teachings of the Church. Mediocrity is not an option when it comes to our journey of faith. We are called to be great saints!