Bob Rice: "How the Catechism Made Me Catholic"

Here is a witness from Bob Rice about how his life was changed by reading and praying through the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

"I remember looking down and seeing blood on my hands. My head was still spinning from the line of cocaine that I snorted in the bathroom. The prostitute I just had sex with was face down on the bed, murdered. Did I do it? I couldn’t remember. I heard sirens outside and footsteps running up the stairs to my apartment. That was the moment that I realized I needed a Savior. I needed Jesus.

Okay, none of that is true."

"Truth be told, I have a very boring conversion story: I always loved Jesus. And then I loved Him more.

I was the good kid. Never drank. Never did drugs. Knew to save sex for marriage. In fact, I lived in fear of letting others down: my parents, my teachers, or even God. I was a straight A student and prayed every night.

So it might not be a surprise when I tell you that one of the most exciting moments in my conversion is when I did something that many consider boring:

I read the Catechism."

-->Read the rest of the article here, and then go read the Catechism.<--

Two practical takeaways from his post:

+     If the Catechism seems overwhelming, try committing to reading one "In Brief" summary at the end of each section in the Catechism every day.

+     If you need an easy place to start, the fourth pillar of the Catechism on prayer is a good place.

_________________________________________________________________

Bob was my professor for many many classes while I attended Franciscan University, and I have to thank him for forming me as a Catholic, catechist, and youth minister, (and actually as a father too) through his deep love for Jesus, his witness as a father, and his love for the Catholic Church.  Maybe one day I will write a post about all the ways he has so tremendously impacted me, but it would be too sappy.

Thanks Bob.

Catholic? Where's the evidence?

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPHe51B7Z00&w=560&h=315] "You may say you're a Catholic but....there's no proof!"

What makes you Catholic?  The clothes or jewelry you wear?  Going to Mass on Sundays?  Being raised a Catholic?  If you were put on trial for your faith, would there be enough evidence to convict you of being a Catholic?  This chilling video, written by Bob Rice and produced by Outside da Box, challenges you to think about what really makes you a Catholic.

"Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but Him who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 7:21

Right now Americans are getting mixed signals about what exactly Catholics believe.  Faithful Catholics are fighting a battle to faithfully live out what the Church believes, while many who call themselves "Catholic" are living in opposition to the Gospel and the Church's teachings.  We need to challenge our brothers and sisters.

####Let's flood the internet with this video.  Facebook post it on your friends' wall, tweet it on Twitter, email it to everyone you know, or write the video URL in marker on your forehead. (If you do that last one, please send me a picture...)

Comment below and let me know how many places you posted the video, so I can give you a virtual high-five.

+JMJ

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