Taking a chance
It may come as a surprise to you that one of the first major televangelists was a Catholic bishop. Fulton Sheen, for many years bishop of Rochester, NY, hosted the Fulton Sheen Program on NBC during the 1950s and won several Emmy Awards for his smooth speaking voice, dry wit and humor, and affability in sharing the faith.
One of my favorite stories comes from a time when Bishop Sheen was serving in New York City. His niece had come to the city to visit her favorite uncle, and they were enjoying a stroll down Broadway. As they went along, a man stopped them and asked, “Bishop Sheen, can you spare any change at all?” Without thinking, the bishop pulled out his wallet and handed the man a crisp twenty-dollar bill. As the man walked away, Sheen’s niece was stunned. She turned to her uncle and said, “Uncle Fulton! Twenty dollars is a lot of money! He’s probably just going to spend the money on alcohol!” The bishop thought for a moment and said, “I can’t take the chance that he won’t.”
Generosity is at the heart of who our God and creator is, and at the heart of the gift that is our Savior, Jesus. Whether generosity is shown through extraordinary love or by being charitable with our own resources, it’s important that we respond to God’s abundant love for us with our own giving. One of the ways St. Paul models this way of living is through our financial assistance program.
Once a month, people who are struggling with the loss of a job, the loss of a spouse, a complicated diagnosis, the impending birth of a child, any number of hardships that could put them in financial jeopardy: they call St. Paul to see if we can help them. Often, we’re able to offer them just enough financial support to keep their head above water, to take a fresh breath of relief, and stave off impending collection calls or evictions. It isn’t much money for us. But to others, it’s our hands and our resources being transformed into the generous love and support of God.
Just like Fulton Sheen, we respond to God’s faithfulness to us by being open and extravagant with our own actions and lives.
Edward “Ted” Harris
Growing up Roman Catholic in the 1950’s, my family watched The Bishop on TV. It was a big deal. Ho opened every show by walking up to a black board and writing “JMJ”. (Jesus Mary Joseph). I was young. That all I remember about him.
Ted