[Apologetics] "Assurance" of "salvation"

[Stuart D. Gathman]

My friend at Truro has Catholic coworkers.  They have approached her, and 
asked how they can have the same confidence that she does.  They have 
confided that they try to do all the things required of them, but live in 
fear that it it not good enough.  Having been to the "Catholics and 
Evangelicals" class, she wants to be able to help them without suggesting 
that they "convert".  

So this is where I hope you can help us out.  I understand that there is
always a "logical possibility" of "falling away" by deliberate, sober
choice, but Catholics should have a "reasonable assurance" of persevering
to the end, because He who has begun a good work in you is faithful, and
will bring it to completion in the day of Christ Jesus.

What kinds of Catholic resources are there to help take the focus off of
our failures, and onto the Bridegroom who calls "Come away!  Come away
with Me, my love?"  That help them understand that their confidence is in
His Grace, not their own feeble efforts.  That "work out your salvation in
fear and trembling" does not mean to cross your fingers and fearfully hope
you have done enough to pass the exam, but instead means to fearfully bare your
heart before the Divine Surgeon, and tremble as He gently touches our 
infirmities and makes us whole.

Although I usually welcome getting picky about errors in language, 
just this once, please don't get picky.  We just want to feed the Spiritual
hunger of these Brothers and Sisters from within their own community.  
We're looking for books addressing this issue, Catholic Bible Studies
or other avenues for fellowship and encouragement. 

The Therese movie addresses this, but is unavailable.

-- 
	      Stuart D. Gathman <stuart at bmsi.com>
Business Management Systems Inc.  Phone: 703 591-0911 Fax: 703 591-6154
"Confutatis maledictis, flamis acribus addictis" - background song for
a Microsoft sponsored "Where do you want to go from here?" commercial.