. My favorite book was the Bible. I was especially fond of the Catholic Study Bible NASB edition. My favorite passage was Isaiah 40:28-31:
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is God from of old,
creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary,
and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny.
He gives power to the faint,
abundant strength to the weak.
Though young men faint and grow weary,
and youths stagger and fall,
They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength,
they will soar on eagles’ wings;
They will run and not grow weary,
walk and not grow faint.
I was introduced to this passage watching the movie “Chariots of Fire.” It impressed me at the time and I turn to it when I need inspiration.
The most biblically formative book is An Introduction to the New Testament by Raymond Brown. Reading it taught me to love the Bible with both my heart as well as my mind. The Dark night of the soulby St. John of the Cross has taught me that walking through the dark night could lead me to the brilliance of the dawn. My favorite novel is Les Misérablesby Victor Hugo. He taught me the importance of mercy, love, forgiveness, and redemption. I would be remiss to omit The Republicby Plato and The Ethicsby Aristotle which laid the foundation of my personal philosophy. Lastly, I am quite fond of the Declaration of Independenceby Thomas Jefferson which serves to be a basis for my love of country and to inspire me.