The Catholic Defender: The Librarian
After retiring from the United States Army I started out about like any usual day that I find myself off from work. I'm moving around starting my day out right, I go to a local Mexican Restaurant to order a great breakfast. I was preparing to go to the Temple Texas VA to place a resume for a new position. But before I go, I had to stop by the local library and print off my resume and DD form 2-14 which is an account of my Military record. While I am there the Librarian stops by my computer and so I am compelled to share with her our Deepertruthblog website. As she looked at the the computer, she was surprised to notice this was a Catholic site. I was able to explain to her where we got the name! Luke 5:4, Jesus said, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch", In doing so, "they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing". We take ourselves out into the deep where we can cast out our nets so we can delve deeply into the great mysteries and treasures of our holy Faith. In our net, we have 153 fish counted representing all the nations, tribes and peoples of all of the earth. And this net, this net is without a tear, no schism! How wonderful is the Lord in the great love he has for us. At this the Librarian was surprised in that she was not used to a Catholic bearing witness for their faith. She was used to the Jehovah's Witnesses or the Mormons, but I was able to share with her the importance of restoring the prodigals back to holy Mother Church, the Catholic Church. At this point, she admitted to me that she was raised a Catholic, but had not been practicing it for a good while. She demonstrated an interest in the Methodist church, and I told her in response, the Methodist began in 1791, who were they in 1790? They really did not come into being until after the death of John Wesley, but in truth, the Methodist churches begin as a result of the Revolutionary War. I asked her who founded the Catholic Faith. She shook her head not knowing who founded the Catholic Church. To me this is key; I responded that Jesus Christ Himself founded the Catholic Faith and that He promised the gates of hell would not prevail against the Church, that he would remain with it until He returns at the Parousia. Very importantly, we have been given the Holy Spirit to guide the Church until that time. What a great blessing we have receiving the grace of God through His holy Catholic Church. At this the Librarian became very interested in what I was saying. I explained the importance of going to Confession. When you go to Confession, the Lord takes those sins and he throws them into the sea of forgetfulness and He remembers them no more. In the confessional, you receive a judgment of mercy and with penance, you receive great grace. Then I explained to her the importance of receiving the Eucharist. We have on every Catholic Altar where Mass is being offered, the true presence of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. We receive the whole person of Jesus renewing the Covenant that is centered on the Eucharist. The importance Jesus places on this Covenant is critical to Salvation. Jesus states, "This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever"(John 6:58). Like the Librarian, I have testified this truth on countless occasions and many people have responded very openly and positively to this. Some were 180 degrees opposed to the Catholic faith based on how they were raised. I've had some that were sent to a Baptist military like school, how wonderful it was to see them received into the Catholic Faith! The Librarian began to respond with interest in what I was saying. She began to respond positively to the message given, she liked our website, www.deepertruthblog.com and asked me to write this down for her. She is going to check this out! I gave her all my personal information so she would have opportunity to contact me if she would like. At this time she seemed really liberated and opened herself up to the truth I was giving her. I encouraged her to make the Mass the center of her life, and for her, the Catholic Church is just right down the street. Father would be glad to hear from you!