|
On
Bowery, Tidings
Of Comfort, Joy
By GREGORY J. RUMMO
 t's
December in New York City. Frosty winds blow, and thoughts of
good cheer meander through the minds of most folks as they
hustle through the crowded sidewalks. And why not?
Most New Yorkers' wallets are bulging despite the recent and
most likely temporary setback in the stock market. But there is
a segment of society that has failed to take part in the
economic recovery. The only thoughts they have are of staying
warm, where to sleep tonight and how to get the next meal.
These are the homeless, the men and the women who, for
whatever reason, cannot or, by their own choice, will not get
their lives on the right track. They are everywhere.
Sean Hannity, whose afternoon talk show airs on WABC Radio
here in New York from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays recently
learned you can't even do a man-on-the-street interview without
bumping into them. Jill Vitale, perhaps better known to
listeners as Flipper, went out to conduct the show's man on the
street interviews earlier this month. She was looking for anyone
who would agree to speak to Hannity on a cell phone to discuss
his or her knowledge (or ignorance) of politics.
This time, the interview took an unexpectedly poignant twist.
Standing in front of Madison Square Garden and playing his
trumpet was Cody. He told Vitale he was homeless as a result of
spending nine years in jail for killing a man who he says raped
and stabbed his 10-year-old kid sister.
After speaking to Cody on the air for about five minutes and
learning that he was suffering from some serious dental
problems, Hannity graciously offered to help Cody get his teeth
fixed. He also gave the man $20 to buy himself a steak dinner
after making him promise not to use the money for drugs or
booze.
This is the kind of personal involvement all of us must
embrace. Helping the homeless is one small way to make our world
better.
For the last 10 years, I have had the privilege of visiting
the Bowery Mission every month with some men from my church in
Paterson, N.J., to conduct a worship service in the chapel.
Afterward, we help out in the food line.
I go because I like to sing and play guitar. But more
important, I am convinced that something supernatural can happen
to change radically the lives of these poor forgotten people
when the word of God is preached and falls upon receptive ears.
The Bowery Mission has served the homeless since a pastor and
his wife opened a rescue mission in 1879 in a tiny room at 36
Bowery. More than a century later, less than 10 blocks from its
original spot, the Bowery Mission still stands. In 1999, it
served more than 289,500 meals, provided more than 61,900 nights
of shelter and 5,945 complete clothing outfits to homeless men
and women.
During this time of year, it is worth remembering that Jesus
was a homeless man himself: "The foxes have holes, and the
birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where
to lay his head."
Jesus also said, "It is more blessed to give than to
receive." Let those words be a reminder to each of us to
share a portion of our "tidings of comfort and joy"
with those less fortunate during this holiday season.
Rummo, a businessman and
writer, lives in Butler, N.J.
Want to read more of
Gregory J. Rummo's columns? Visit his Website, THE
LIVE WIRE at http://www.gregrummo.com
Original Publication Date: 12/25/00
What do you think?
Post your comments on our Forums.
|
