I know from experience that a small daily dose of spiritual reading does wonderful things for me. In the seasons of life I have managed to maintain the habit, five or ten minutes of reading each day have made a significant difference in my peacefulness, prayerfulness, joy, and patience. Usually I find the time in the morning, before the kids are up. Eventually something gets in the way—a child’s sleep schedule changes, commitments keep me up too late the night before, or I finish a book and don’t know what to get into next.
Pope St. John XXIII wrote in his decalogue: “Only for today, I will devote 10 minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul.”
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I’m looking forward to Lent giving me a push to get back to this practice. Here’s what’s on my Lenten bookshelf:
Called to Life, Called to Love by Henri J.M. Nouwen
Our church in Brooklyn had these little booklets out for the taking a number of years ago. I’d read The Return of the Prodigal Son in college, and was delighted to have more Nouwen at my fingertips. I’ve used it more than once, and can’t wait to dig back in this year. The reflections take only a moment to read (longer to reflect on, if course), so I’ll use this in conjunction with other books.
Mary’s Way by Judy Landreiu Klein
This book was a Christmas gift I haven’t found my way into it yet. I have twice worked my way through 33 Days to Morning Glory, and noticed a dramatic difference in my life after consecrating myself to Mary. The older my children get, the more I see the places I need to lean on our Blessed Mother to help me raise them right!
The Little Oratory by David Clayton & Leila Marie Lawler
I was so excited about this book when I bought it online a year or so ago, but was in the middle of something else when it arrived and never got started. This book is not the only one waiting its turn on my shelf, and hopefully Lent is its chance to shine!
25 Life-Changing Questions from the Gospels by Allan F. Wright
I used this for my Advent reflections last year. I liked that it starts right at the beginning of developing a relationship with Christ. For someone new or newly returning to the Faith, this is the place to be. For those who have been practicing for years, it can be good to go back to square one and make sure things are ordered as they should be. We can get comfortable in our Faith and miss out on some of its beauty. I’m saving this to revisit in the second half of the season and into Holy Week.
What’s on your Lenten bookshelf?
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Copyright 2017 Lindsay Schlegel
About the Author
Lindsay Schlegel
Lindsay Schlegel is a daughter of God, wife, mom, editor, and speaker. She’s the author of Don’t Forget to Say Thank You: And Other Parenting Lessons That Brought Me Closer to God and host of the podcast Quote Me with Lindsay Schlegel. Lindsay seeks to encourage, inspire, and lift others up to be all they were created to be. Connect with Lindsay at her website, LindsaySchlegel.com.
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