Newt Gringrich to become Catholic
Buried in this New York Times article about Newt Gringrich is a note that he is becoming Catholic (h/t: Christianity Today). Gringrich, who has a Baptist background, has had a checkered past personal life, especially regarding his marriages, so I can’t help but think of our Lord’s parable of the lost sheep:
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, `Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (Luke 15:4-7)
Welcome to the Church, Newt!
His wife sings in the choir at the Basilica of the National Shrine and I saw Newt (and wife) in attendance at Evening Prayer when Pope Benedict came to DC last year. I guess you can’t keep that sort of company and not expect something to happen. : )