Outside of Statistics – December 18, 1955
Recently a wise physician was speaking of the very favorable chances of recovery from certain diseases and from certain kinds of surgery.
The figures were impressive and reassuring. But then he added: Remember that even if recovery were 99 per cent sure—remember that for the person who doesn’t recover, for the person who loses his life, it isn’t a statistical loss, it isn’t a 1 per cent loss, but 100 per cent loss. And so, it is also for his family.
Perhaps the application is bit obscure as concerning this season—but perhaps not altogether either: We read reports of unprecedented shopping across the country, of new peaks of prosperity and employment.
We read reports of people living longer lives, of diseases conquered (comparatively), and facts and figures of many benefits and blessings—for all of which we are deeply grateful.
But despite all favorable facts and figures, there are some who are sorrowing; some are sick; some have suffered serious losses; some live in loneliness, and if we happen to be one of the lonely, one of the sorrowing, one of the sick, one of the ones in want, the statistics, even though they should be ninety-nine and ninety-nine hundredths per cent reassuring, still wouldn’t satisfy—not if we were hurt or hungry.
If we are hungry, we are not statistically hungry, but just plain hungry. And that is true of other things also.
And at this season when we celebrate the birth of the Master and Redeemer of mankind, of Jesus the Christ—He who spoke of the good Samaritan, of the shepherd and the sheep; He who blessed the children, He who healed the sick and comforted the sorrowing—as our thoughts turn to Him, let our arms and our hearts open to help someone who needs us, despite all favorable figures. “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? For when saw we thee sick, or in Prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily 1, say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”1
1Matthew 25:31-40.
December 18, 1955
Broadcast Number 1,374