Sunday/Monday And Have A Little Faith – by Ken Gross – December 8, 2011

Appearing in the December 8, 2011 edition of the JNews – Metro Detroit

Sunday/Monday And Have A Little Faith

Another Sunday night – time to try and salvage some relaxation, maybe watch a movie, and gear up for Monday morning. So clicking my way to an espionage movie, I ran across Have a Little Faith – Mitch Albom’s TV premier that aired on the Sunday following Thanksgiving. I’m not typically a Hallmark Hall of Fame guy – but when I saw it was on I said, hey – Tuesday’s With Morrie struck many a chord with me – so I should give it a try. In fact, until Tuesday’s With Morrie – I did not think of Mitch any different than any other columnist or sports person that I don’t know but do listen or read on occasion.  Have a Little Faith affected me in the same manner as Morrie –it was Mitch’s revelation of his own personal conflict of questioning his plight in life – that intrigued me. I believe it is a lingering anxiety so many of us feel – that our day to day lives take on a significance that in the end is not that significant – and when we find ourselves in a “moment” where “no one is around” we know – and we feel – that void – and the guilt – that we do not do enough –to make this a better world – to help those who need.

Have a Little Faith - was fun. Hogans, Temple Israel – it was like we were there. But way beyond that – there is a powerful message. Rabbi Lewis, in his last sermon – dedicates his “moment” to one of atonement for not doing enough to help his congregates – after having spent 60 selfless years of doing precisely that. I was overcome with emotion at that moment. I knew then, I know now – it’s simply because we become so absorbed in the day to day affairs of managing our lives that we are not in touch with a greater calling.

So how does Have HavehhhHa Little Faith – tie to the current economic issues we face? The tie is not financial – rather it is based on the difference between right and wrong, and good vs. evil. Our elected officials have a constituency far greater than that of Rabbi Lewis and Pastor Henry in Have a Little Faith. The American public and the United States of America is their congregation. Our elected officials are the stewards of our republic and are charged with a greater calling – of looking out for the greater good than individual gain. If that means arriving at a compromise to balance the budget, attaining a workable health care policy that will meet our nation’s needs pr adopting a tax structure that is realistic and fair – then they need to HahHave a Little Faith and do what they have been charged with the privilege and responsibility to do. Rabbi Lewis and Pastor Henry should be their guide.

In the end, there is something powerful and exhilarating when we (in this case me) are reminded of our own humility. For me this comes when I watch a movie, by myself, with no one there, no pretentions – and the emotions reach to my inner sole. Have a Little Faith reached me that way –so I salute and thank Mitch Albom for having the talent and heart to remind me that there exists much more to our lives, than showing up on Monday morning. Mitch – thank you.

Ken Gross is an attorney with Thav Gross and host of The Financial Crisis Talk Center, a radio program that airs weekly at 10:00 AM on Saturday mornings on Talk Radio 1270 WXYT AM.