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| Elsie June goes for a walk |
I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace...
There are over a million American citizens in the American penal system, including jail, prisons and those on parole. That figure is the largest of any nation in the world, and the highest percentage of any nation in the world. An extraordinary number of them are in solitary confinement, which should be called "cruel and unusual punishment." When we hear "Freedom is not free!" we should remember that our freedoms to own guns, buy recreational drugs on the street, wallow in pornographic literature and live with unbounded freedom means that many will become intoxicated with such liberty and violate the boundaries. Their incarceration is also the cost of freedom.
During elections I worry about our prisoners. They are forbidden to vote and have no representation in our government; and without representation, they will never receive any more than the crumbs which fall from the table. Their food, education, opportunities to work in a meaningful way, health care and so forth are inadequate. Add to that inhumane treatment the onus of blame for everything that's wrong with our free society and their situation becomes desperate.
But the spirit of God moves in prison as easily as it moves in the market place, the family home or the church and many of our prisoners are devout Christians. Some knew the Lord even as their addictions drove them into crime; some found the Lord on the way to prison; and some have found faith through the ministry of chaplains.
They have found that true, inner freedom of which Saint Paul speaks. After his own rough treatment of Christians before his conversion, he could not complain about incarceration. If he didn't enjoy it, he made the best of it by writing immortal literature for his beloved church.
On this feast of Saint Matthew we hear Saint Paul's self description, "I, a prisoner for the Lord." And we hear Jesus' challenges, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice!" and "I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."
As fellow sinners, prisoners for the Lord, slaves of Christ and citizens of the kingdom of God, we have a duty to show mercy especially to those in prison. In Catholic tradition, that is one of the works of mercy. Mercy, rather than cruelty, punishment or revenge, is the sister of justice.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.