Conversions to Catholicism in Shanghai -- From Reading the Bible!

This is such a great story on so many levels. The fact that people are finding Christ. In China. In the Catholic Church. Through reading the Sacred Scriptures.

Shanghai, China, Dec 1, 2009 / 12:04 pm (CNA).- Many conversions are taking place in Shanghai, China, in part thanks to the encouragement of Bible reading and youth outreach programs.

One convert’s story began in a classroom encounter with Catholicism and led to the conversion of another young man he met while reading the Bible at McDonald’s.

While most Catholics in China are born to Catholic parents, many of the nearly 300,000 Catholics in Shanghai are converts, the United Bible Societies China Partnership reports.

One convert, 27-year-old Shen Cheng, had little exposure to the Catholic faith as a youth. He became interested in Catholicism when one of his professors introduced him to a book by American legal scholar Harold J. Berman. The book so interested Cheng in Catholicism that he bought a Catholic Bible.

Exploring Scripture convinced him to convert to Catholicism. He calls the Bible his “daily bread,” essential to his soul’s well-being.

Shen would often read the Bible wherever he went. At one McDonald’s restaurant he frequented he would read the Bible with a crucifix in front of him.

Lu Xiaochen, now 25, was working at the same restaurant part-time during his university vacation. He became curious after seeing Shen reading the Bible each day and began a conversation with him.

Shen shared his faith with Lu. According to United Bible Societies, Shen’s sincerity in answering questions and his love for God made a huge impression on Lu who then decided to be baptized.

See entire article here.

Hey, we have a few Mcdonald's restaurants where you and I are, don't we? What's to stop us from evangelizing in this same manner? Fear? Fear of what? It isn't illegal, you know (not yet, anyway). Fear of human opinion? There is a Chinese proverb that says: “A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.” And let's not forget Our Lord's words: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28)

So be not afraid to take that Catholic Bible to McDonald's or anywhere else. You just may lead someone to the Happiest Meal of all--the Table of the Lord.