SPRITUAL READING AS A MEANS OF FORMATION

An essential element of spiritual formation is the prayerful and meditated reading of the word ofGod (lectio divina). Lectio Divina as a method of listening, meditating, praying and contemplatingthe Word of God is a helpful way in which God forms us in the knowledge, love and following ofJesus as disciples. Each of us is encouraged to develop this intimate relationship with Jesusthrough this meditative and contemplative method.

Reading the Bible should become a regular habit in the Christians life. Starting off your day witha time of reading the Bible and prayer will strengthen your walk with Christ.

The Saints say this about spiritual reading.

To a spiritual life the reading of holy books is perhaps not less useful than mental prayer. St. Bernard says reading instructs us at once in prayer, and in the practice of virtue. Hence heconcluded that spiritual reading and prayer are the arms by which hell is conquered andparadise won. We cannot always have access to a spiritual Father for counsel in our actions,and particularly in our doubts; but reading will abundantly supply his place by giving us lights anddirections to escape the illusions of the devil and of our own self-love, and at the same time tosubmit to the divine will. Hence St. Athanasius used to say that we find no one devoted to the service of the Lord that did not practice spiritual reading.

But before all, the Apostle prescribed spiritual reading to Timothy. Attend unto reading . Mark theword Attend , which signifies that, although Timothy, as being bishop, was greatly occupied withthe care of his flock, still the Apostle wished him to apply to the reading of holy books, not in apassing way and for a short time, but regularly and for a considerable time.

NEW TESTAMENT

THE LIVES OF THE SAINTS

in the lives of the saints we read what so many holy men and women, who were flesh aswe are, have done . Hence, their example, if it produce no other fruit, will at least humble us andmake us sink under the earth. In reading the great things that the saints have done, we shallcertainly be ashamed of the little that we have done and still do for God. St. Augustine said ofhimself: “My God, the examples of Thy servants, when I meditated on them, consumed mytepidity and inflamed me with Thy holy love.” Of St. Francis, St. Bonaventure writes: “By theremembrance of the saints and of their virtues, as if they were so many stones of fire, he hasinflamed with new love for God.” 

St. Gregory also relates that in Rome there was a beggar called Servolus; he was afflicted withinfirmities, and lived on the alms that he collected: he gave a part to the poor, and employed theremainder in purchasing books of devotion. Servolus could not read, but he engaged thosewhom he lodged in his little house to read for him. St. Gregory says that by listening to thesespiritual readings Servolus acquired great patience and a wonderful knowledge of the things ofGod. Finally, the saint states that at death the poor man besought his friends to read for him; butbefore breathing his last he interrupted the reading, and said: “Be silent, be silent, do you nothear how all paradise resounds with canticles and harmonious music?” After these words hesweetly expired. Immediately after his death a most agreeable odor was diffused over the room,in testimony of the sanctity of the beggar, who left the world poor in earthly goods, but rich invirtue and merits.

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

IN CONVERSATION WITH GOD

THE WAY, FURROW, FORGE, FRIENDS OF GOD, CHRIST IS PASSING BY

The Way

467 Books. I put out my hand, like one of Christ's beggars, and I asked for books. Books,— thatare nourishment for the Catholic, apostolic and Roman minds of many young students.

116 Don't neglect your spiritual reading. — Reading has made many saints

 

The Furrow

428 Since you want to acquire a Catholic or universal mentality, here are some characteristicsyou should aim at: — a breadth of vision and a vigorous endeavour to study more deeply thethings that are permanently alive and unchanged in Catholic orthodoxy.

572 It is as easy now as it was at the time of Jesus Christ to say No, to deny or to put to oneside the truth of faith. You who call yourself a Catholic have to start from Yes. Later, after somestudy, you will be able to explain the reasons for your certainty, and that there is no contradiction— there can be none — between Truth and science, between Truth and life.

619 When you find studying is an awfully uphill task offer that effort to Jesus. Tell him that youcontinue poring over your books, so that you may use your knowledge as a weapon to fight hisenemies and so gain many souls for him... You can then be sure that your study is well on itsway to becoming prayer.

The Forge

840 You must always have, in everything, the same “sentiments” as the Church. For this, youmust acquire the spiritual and doctrinal training that you need, which will make you a person ofsound judgement in temporal matters, humble and quick to correct yourself when you realise youhave made a mistake. Correcting your own mistakes, nobly, is a very human and verysupernatural way of using your freedom.

841 There is an urgent need for spreading the doctrine of Christ. Store up your training, fillyourself with clear ideas, with the fullness of the Christian message, so that afterwards you canpass it on to others. Don’t expect God to illuminate you, for he has no reason to when you havedefinite human means available to you: study and work.

976 Quite a considerable proportion of the people who go to Church read bad publications.Calmly and with love of God we need to pray and teach them sound doctrine so that they don’tgo on reading those diabolical worthless papers, which they claim their families buy — for theyare ashamed of it — though perhaps it is they themselves who do so.

THE STORY OF A SOUL

St. Teresa teaches us the little way to heaven, which can give hope to all.

CONFESSIONS (c. 400) Augustine

Long considered the classic of all time, many modern readers will find this book difficult to readwith scattered wisdom. The genre itself will seem unfamiliar and slightly wordy to manyevangelicals. While every Christian should eventually read this book--it's a literary classic asmuch as a spiritual one--it's not the one we'd recommend you begin with, though it is the mosteasy to locate.

CITY OF GOD (c. 400) Augustine

Very lengthy, but with some incredibly rich passages. Augustine challenges neo-paganism bydiscussing religious lore, philosophy, theology, and history. This classic is widely recognized byall traditions, and, like Confessions, is one that most Christians should aspire to read at somepoint.

LADDER OF DIVINE ASCENT (c. 640) John Climacus

The classic of eastern Christendom, written for monks, this book calls for a high Christiancommitment. It's an ascetic handbook, so at times the message may seem harsh, but, read incontext, the book is definitely worthy of the attention it has received.

ON LOVING GOD (c. 1126-1141) Bernard of Clairvaux

Bernard of Clairvaux was a giant among his peers. In many ways, his spiritual journey wasstereotypical: harsh asceticism and legalism in his youth, maturing to great love and intimacywith God in his later years. You can't go wrong with a classic that bases the spiritual life on lovingGod.

 

THE CLOUD OF UNKNOWING (late 14th c.) Author Unknown

This work is considered a classic of mystical spirituality, and evangelicals may find the full"program" completely unattainable, of little interest or benefit. However, there are many gemsscattered throughout for those who take the time to read it. I once remarked that I read TheCloud more for the quotes than for the general concepts.

IMITATION OF CHRIST (c. 1418) Thomas a Kempis

This is probably one of the most popular spiritual classics of all time and for good reason. It's atreasure house of insights. A' Kempis focused on rigorous spiritual training as a necessary part ofChristian living. His work is thus a good counter to "soft" Christianity, but others might say it goestoo far in this regard.

THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF ST. IGNATIUS LOYOLA (1548) Ignatius Loyola

Full of very practical advice for monks, this book also offers many helpful insights forevangelicals. With some modifications, evangelicals can benefit by systematically going throughthe exercises.

ASCENT OF MT. CARMEL (c. 1587) John of the Cross

A mystical classic. John was recognized as a highly gifted spiritual director (he was a follower ofTeresa of Avila, but also served as her spiritual director during a three year period). In this workJohn provides many helpful insights, particularly into the dry stages of the Christian life. One ofmy favorite authors, John wrote with an unparalleled passion for God.

DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL(late sixteenth century) John of the Cross

Another classic by John of the Cross. Though published under a different title than Dark Night ofthe Soul, the two volumes are really companions and should be read together for maximumbenefit and understanding. Abridged versions of both works appear in th Paulist Press editionmentioned above.

THE INTERIOR CASTLE (1588) Teresa of Avila

This is a relatively short book on prayer, emphasizing spiritual visions leading to spiritualbetrothal and marriage. A recognized classic on the devotional life and prayer.

INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVOUT LIFE (1609) Francis de Sales

A fantastic, very readable work. This was a unique spiritual book for its time, in that Francis wroteit for laypeople, not for those living in a religious community. His desire was to help the ordinarytradesman grow, recognizing that such a person needed different advice than that generallygiven to members of a religious community. This book is very practical with several helpfulmeditations, but some of these meditations will seem very "Roman Catholic" and evangelicalsmay choose to skip over these.

THE PATIENCE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD (1692) Brother Lawrence

Brother Lawrence was a very humble man with an extraordinary sense of living in God'spresence. This little book is a treasure house of devotion and includes several letters andconversations regarding his wonderful awareness of God's presence. It's an excellent book withwhich to begin reading the classics.

ST ALPHONSUS DE LIGUORI - THE GREAT MEANS OF SALVATION AND PERFECTION

I do not think that I have written a more useful work than the present, in which I speak of prayeras a necessary and certain means of obtaining salvation, and all the graces that we require forthat object. If it were in my power, I would distribute a copy of it to every Catholic in the world, inorder to show him the absolute necessity of prayer for salvation." - St Alphonsus in theIntroduction

Link to on-line books - http://www.catholictreasury.info/library.php