You Are What You Read

 

When can I find time to read in a busy day? 

Let's look at some numbers. There are 1440 minutes in one single day. It's hard to make the argument that there is no time in that chunk for a little reading. Let's just be honest, ten minutes is a very small percentage of the day. That amount of reading literally takes the same time as brewing your coffee and eating breakfast in the morning.

Why is spiritual reading so important, and I would argue essential to growth in the spiritual life? The thoughts that are received through reading return. They feed your prayer. St Josemaria Escriva said, "do not neglect your spiritual reading. Reading has made many saints." We have all heard the phrase, you are what you eat...the same can be said for books, you are what you read. 

Reading is the opportunity to hear a voice--an author sharing with you words of wisdom--like meeting a friend for coffee. Think about all the voices you hear in one day from the people in your life, the obligations that run through your mind, the media intake, etc. The things you listen to, what comes through your senses, form you. They shape your day, your life, your mind.

Spiritual reading, especially Scripture and the lives of the saints, are like taking ten minutes out of your day to let God in. St Jerome said, "when we pray, we speak to God, but when we read, God speaks to us." Are we listening? Even if we only pick something up for one line....we picked up a treasure. As our spiritual reading goes, there goes our prayer life.

Check out the new page link called "Picks" on the blog to discover some top book choices for spiritual reading...