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Reflect on Scripture and Read Books that Help You Grow Spiritually

Reflect on Scripture and Read Books that Help You Grow Spiritually:


When I read today’s scripture verse from my Mary Day by Day daily meditations book, “Everyone who asks, receives; and the one who searches, finds; and to the one who knocks, it shall be opened” (Luke 11:10), I couldn’t help but smile. Every time I hear or read this passage from scripture, I think back to a wonderful memory and little miracle. It was summertime, I was home from college, and I’d decided to go to daily Mass. I arrived at church a few minutes early and went inside. After I’d been sitting in the pew for a while, I started to wonder if there was Mass that morning, because no one else was there. It wasn’t long after thinking this, however, that a few women came in and explained to me that they’d been trying to set up for Mass but the keys had accidentally gotten locked in the cabinet where the chalice and other Mass items were kept. I replied that I had a Bobbie-pin we could try to unlock the lock with and then followed them back to the sacristy. I put the Bobbie-pin into the lock and turned— nothing happened. I took it out and put the other end in the lock and silently payed, “Lord, please let this open.” I turned the pin again and instantly heard a click. This scripture verse and memory always remind me that we need God. Yes, we can do things on our own, but when we collaborate with God, we can do so much more and the possibilities are endless! God will indeed give things to us, help us find what’s sought, and open doors when they are what will be best for us. So, keep opening your heart to receive, keep looking, and keep knocking, because God will always answer, and sometimes things might just be physically unlocked. There are so many beautiful verses to reflect upon in scripture! Try reflecting upon one verse a day, and see how God will begin working with you through your life. 

Besides reading and reflecting upon sacred scripture, there are also so many wonderful books written that can help you grow in your faith and relationship with Christ. I follow the “The God Minute” podcast on Facebook and Twitter, and a question they recently asked  was: “Okay, besides the Bible and Catechism, what would you say are five books every Catholic should own. Not just read, but actually own in print!” I replied to their question with the following five books: (1) Rediscover the Saints, by Matthew Kelly, (2) The Diary of Saint Faustina, (3) 33 Days to Morning Glory, by Father Michael Gaitley, (4) Consecration to Saint Joseph, by Father Donald Calloway, and (5) Theology of the Body for Beginners, by Christopher West. These are five books on my bookshelf or digital bookshelf that I have read or am currently reading that I feel have helped me significantly in my personal faith life and journey. If you haven’t read any of these books, I highly recommend reading them, and once you’ve read them, if you’re like me, you’ll find your soul start to crave reading spiritually inspiring texts and soon find you’re reading multiple books at a time. Start reading where you can, and The Holy Spirit will keep guiding you on your journey.


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