By Tony Rossi,
Director of Communications
Chances are a cup of coffee or tea clears the drowsiness from your brain when you wake up in the morning. But what do you do to awaken your spirit? Maybe you have a prayer routine or are able to go to Mass. Some spiritual reading can also be helpful, so on that account, let me make a suggestion: Volume 59 of The Christophers’ annual “Three Minutes a Day” book series of daily stories and reflections. Technically, you can read it during morning, noon, or night. And as the title suggests, it only requires a few minutes of your time. What kinds of stories does the book include? Let me give you some examples.
Ellen Cheng works with LAMP Catholic Ministries in New York, offering material and spiritual support to those who are poor. One day, while out in LAMP’s truck serving sandwiches, a man named Angel approached her group and told them he couldn’t stop drinking despite trying various programs. As recalled in LAMP’s newsletter, Ellen questioned whether Angel had ever asked God for help. He responded, “God won’t help me. I’m a bum.”
Ellen then revealed that she, too, once had a drinking problem, and believes that God helped her. Angel noted that Ellen was “not a bum.” She replied, “My family thought I was when they threw me out. Bosses, friends, and others called me that. But I discovered that God doesn’t make bums.”
Angel stepped aside to eat his sandwich and ponder Ellen’s words. Before leaving, he told her, “A lot of people come by with food, but that’s it. You come here, you see us, look us in the eye, and talk to us. You listen. [We] appreciate it so much.” Ellen prayed that Angel would experience God’s unconditional love and move forward towards recovery.
The line “God doesn’t make bums” stood out to me in this story. It’s a reminder that we each have inherent dignity and value, regardless of what we may have done in the past. Another entry offers a similar reminder: Many years ago, the publication Bits and Pieces shared a story about two brothers convicted of stealing sheep. As punishment, the letters ST, for Sheep Thief, were branded on their foreheads.
One brother couldn’t stand the shame. He moved away, but wherever he went, he was asked about the letters and what they meant. Eventually, he became embittered and died a lonely forgotten man. But the other brother stayed put. “I can’t run away from my past,” he reasoned, “but I can try and win back the respect that I once had.”
This brother began to build a reputation for kindness and fair dealing. He went out of his way to be friendly and helpful. Years later, he was a revered member of the community. One day, a stranger came to town and asked a villager about the letters on the old man’s forehead. The villager said, “It happened a long time ago. I’ve forgotten the details. But the letters are an abbreviation for saint.”
The stories in “Three Minutes a Day” offer beautiful examples of loving God and neighbor, of finding strength when life’s inevitable tragedies strike, of lighting a candle rather than cursing the darkness. So, consider buying copies of “Three Minutes a Day: Volume 59” as a Christmas gift for yourself and others for $10. Call 1-212-759-4050, ext. 241—or visit us online at www.christophers.org.
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