DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS AND JOURNEYING WITH THE SAINTS

Posted : Jul-11-2021

This weekend in my homily, I proposed to everyone to spend some time doing spiritual reading - even just 10 -20 minutes a day - to help us to edify our souls and to raise our minds to God and find joy in the Spirit rather than in the things of the world. So many times we concentrate on the material we hear or read in the news, read on the internet or watch on videos that show up in our inboxes or on YouTube. The questions becomes, do these things bring us joy or lift our souls to God, or do they affect us in ways that do not edify our souls or improve our relationship with God?

I mentioned that I am currently reading a book for my own spiritual reading, which dives deeply into the Ignatian practice of discernment of spirits. I spoke briefly about St. Ignatius of Loyola and how he began with discerning spirits and wrote many volumes on this practice. The book that I am reading now outlines some of St. Ignatius of Loyola's rules and practices in detail and in a way to be applied to everyday life.

The name of the book is:

The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living by Timothy M. Gallagher. OMV.

Purple book cover of Discernment of Spirits book

It is a very detailed book so perhaps if you would like to start with something written in a simpler yet poignant way, you may consider reading another book on this topic that I have read and that some of the parish staff have read. It is called:

Spiritual Warfare/Discernment of Spirits by Dan Burke

Cover of spiritual warfare book - black with angel in front

I also mentioned the importance of getting to know the saints. They are our best human examples of what we must strive to be like in order to get to heaven. I mentioned a particular book that tells of the journeying relationships saints had with other saints. A true reminder that who we choose to surround ourselves with has an effect on who we are. The name of this book is:

Saintly Companions: A Cross-Reference of Sainted Relationships

by Vincent J. O'Malley

Book cover for saintly companions- stained glass window with saints

All 3 of these books are available on Amazon.ca and on other various sites where you can buy books. I invite you to please accept my challenge to us all and pick up a book and begin the beautiful practice of Spiritual reading. Even if you begin for only a few minutes a day, be open to the changes that God can make in your heart and soul.

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