It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Although that phrase is often heard in our modern culture in and around the Christmas season, few people seem to take it seriously.  Even fewer recognize its origin: oddly enough, (the only?) words of Jesus not found in the four gospels.  Paul's recollection of the phrase was faithfully recorded by Luke the Evangelist in Acts 20:35.

So, what does it mean?  More blessed to give than to receive?!  That must have sounded strange to the Jewish audience who had historically interpreted an abundance of possessions as a sign of God's blessing and favor.  It probably sounds even stranger today.  But if we really stop and think about the times in our lives when we witnessed or participated in true, unconditional and selfless charity, we know it to be true.



The expression on the face of a child who receives a cool drink or ice cream treat on a hot summer day -- or a warm coat and hat to ward off the winter's chill ...  The look of relief from the visitors who have traveled a long and hard road when you open the door to welcome them in for the night ... The comfort brought to the old man, sick or dying in the hospital, the family who just lost a loved one, or the woman lonely and hungry for a visitor in the rest home ...

I can't put a price tag on the blessings I've received as a result of becoming a pen pal to prison inmates.  Here is just one of many similar testimonials I've read from pen pals "on the outside" --

Dear Jack & Sophie,

Thank you so much for this ministry you provide. My whole mindset concerning unconditional love has been changed. I have learned so much from writing back and forth with Lonnie. I’ve learned how blessed I am, how difficult and lonely it is to be in prison, how amazingly God can work in peoples lives. I’ve learned to be proud of my Catholic faith and not to judge others. Lonnie has such a good heart and it tears me up to see this young man locked away... but I can also see God working in his life. Its so exciting! 

Bless you both for this experience and I pray for continued success in your ministry.
 
Sincerely,

Katie D.

Jack and Sophie Weber reminded me that there are over 2.3 million men and women in America's prison system.  Many have lost family and friends through years of incarceration or imprisoned a great distance from home.  Mary Mother of Captives Prison Pen Pal Ministry is in desperate need of 500 people on the outside to write letters of encouragement to our incarcerated brothers and sisters in Christ.  The program is free and based on complete anonymity -- letters are routed via a PO box and re-mailed by the Webers without full names or personal addresses.

Please help with this important ministry, this Corporal Work of Mercy: visiting the imprisoned. It costs just the price of a postage stamp and a little of your time and energy each month but I'm sure you too will find that the blessings you (and your pen pal) receive will far outweigh the costs.