FATHER James Keller knew that each of us can spare three minutes a day to be still, to pray, to face reality. "Why am I here? Where am I going?" He was aware that millions are sleeping giants with less than five per cent of Godgiven potential realised. Three quarters of the human family live in degrading poverty. A quarter of a billion children are deprived of schooling. He awakened us to grim reality and to life giving hope. His motto was "Better to light one candle than to curse the darkness". Condemnation and lament have a place. But they can be self defeating and may paralyse all effort for healing and for hope. If we sink in the quagmire of apathy and despair we are an added burden, not a help.
Christians, by sacrament and prayer, have Christ within. Those who share this vision are Christophers (Christ carriers) and reflect the Light of Christ. Without assemblies, or enrolment, or fees the Christopher Movement was born. Though founded on the Four Gospels it soon attracted people of all religions and of none who long for a better world. Christ's Sermon on the Mount is a charter of freedom for the human family. All can listen who have ears to hear. The time for action is always now.
Leaflets, booklets, radio and television awakened millions across the USA and across the world. Nineteen hundred radio stations carried messages of awakening hope as did 300 TV stations. Stars and directors were proud to offer their services free. The brilliant News Notes (mailed eight times a year) are most popular of all. "Make Each Moment Count", "Tips For Teenagers", "You Can Change The World" are among titles that gripped the attention of millions. Father Catoir succeeded Father Keller. The dynamic messages are available in many languages world wide. The Christopher Movement chose, as charter, the awakening truth that inspired Cardinal Newman.". . . God has created me to do him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have my mission. I am a link in a chain, a bond of communication between persons. He has not created me for naught Only when, in the light of the Spirit, we awaken to our Christopher calling will the neglected acres of our lives yield the harvest long awaited by so many.
Could we light our first candle today? At our coming, darkness will give way.
. . . God cannot catch us unless we stay in the uncon scious room of our hearts. We must be noth ing.
Nothing, that God may make us something.
Let us lie down again,
Deep in anonymous humility, and God
May find us worthy material for:
His Hand .
Patrick Kavanagh, Having
Confessed
Some may wish to contact the Christophers, 12 East 48th Street, New York, NY 10017, US.