Reading in the bath

[Beautiful]

Sometimes I read while taking a bath because I have no distractions there. But would it be disrespectful to read something spiritual or even the bible while taking a bath? I don’t want to offend God, but its the easiest place for me to do reading without getting distracted

Sorry for the weird question!

Don’t apologize! Your question is thought provoking. It might help to look at the number of times the Gospel mentions water or washing.

“Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed, and came back able to see. John 9:7

After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and) coming upon him. Matthew 3:16

Apparently water is a good place for cleansing and healing although there is no mention of reading a book while getting cleansed and healed.

Personally I find it difficult to read in the bath. My dripping wet puckered fingers lose their sensitivity and ruin the pages and I’m afraid the book will drop in the water. It is terribly inconvenient and a distraction all in itself :sad_yes: When I bathe I do my business of bathing. Imagine that. Not a pretty sight for any of us to picture one another doing . Wild birds in the backyard birdbath are fun to watch though.

You must be really desperate for seclusion if you must resort to such a wet, dirty and inconvenient place to get some quiet spiritual reading in. Evidently there is never a quiet place in your home
Did you ever try church after or before Mass? This is my favorite place and time for spiritual reading

 

[bpcatholic]

I see nothing wrong. Darn…now I want to take a bath!

 

[Blade_and_Blood]

Reading in the bathtub isn’t disrespectful at all. If I wasn’t such a clumsy person, I’d read in there, myself.

Ironically Yours, Blade and Blood

 

[peregrinator_it]

The title of this thread caught my eye a few days ago. I never expected to find it in the spirituality forum!

Like others, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with reading spiritual matter in the tub, but my initial reaction to the thread title (like others’) also applies to spiritual reading- how do you keep from getting the pages wet?

That’s why I quit reading in the tub- I never dropped a book, but the corners of the pages were always damp. (And I, personally, find it difficult to multi-tasking in general. Consequently, I try to set aside time for prayers, reading, etc. but plenty of people have no problem praying/reading while doing other things.)

As to the question of whether or not bodily and spiritual things can coexist, as another poster has already pointed out we are not spiritual souls trapped in animal bodies. We are a body/soul composite; both are integral to human beings; neither is to be despised; hence at the last judgement we get our bodies back either as a part of our reward or as a part of our suffering.

Consequently to claim that our bodies or their functions are somehow “low” or “animal” strikes me as a little … silly.

 

[Neil_Anthony]

You must be really desperate for seclusion if you must resort to such a wet, dirty and inconvenient place to get some quiet spiritual reading in. Evidently there is never a quiet place in your home
Did you ever try church after or before Mass? This is my favorite place and time for spiritual reading

I really enjoy reading in the bath. Taking a bath is relaxing and warm, but boring. Also when I’m in the bath I can’t check my email, so it gives me time to actually do some reading. I find it hard to tear myself away from the computer. I was tempted to recite the liturgy of the hours in the tub but I feel it would be sacriligious.

 

[Neil_Anthony]

Like others, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with reading spiritual matter in the tub, but my initial reaction to the thread title (like others’) also applies to spiritual reading- how do you keep from getting the pages wet?

Keep a towel within reach, and don’t let your hands soak in the water, they can get wet but not waterlogged. And hold onto the book tight

 

[Beautiful]

All prosaic acts should be done with in the most quick and efficient manner as to but your mind on other things. Another thing is listening to a conference while you shower, another is stoping to read.

Plus, my first thing is that siting on a tub even with a good book is only a step if not sloth already, and the Devil takes advantage to tempt with impurity.

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly minded,
for with blessing in his hand
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
our full homage to demand.
~ Liturgy of Saint James (fifth century)

Last night I read you and didn’t quite know how to say that I understand your approach. We live in a time and culture that encourages things of the flesh. It is our work to pay full homage to God.