WE HAVE RECEIVED OUR CROSS

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

 Usually the reflections and homilies I write each Sunday have a foundation built on those who I chiefly minister to: those behind the wall. For over nine years now this has been central to my ministry and whatever else my ministry has entailed has stemmed from those True Lost Sheep who I am so deeply attached to physically, mentally, and spirituality. They truly are my spiritual brothers and members of my family; every one of them. Today I find myself separated from them and from the volunteers who selflessly give their time and their hearts to the two forgotten communities at MCI Concord and the North Eastern Correctional Center. Even though this may appear to be a challenge to me, the volunteers, and to those in the communities we service it also presents a unique opportunity to take up our Lenten Crosses and go forward with the understanding that nothing can separate us except for ourselves and the temptation not to live out over faith-life in difficult circumstances.

A few weeks ago a volunteer mentioned to me that every time he would leave the prison after leading a program he would feel bad for the inmates because he knew that they could not go home but he could. Even though this was the case he could not fully understand the reality of their situation until his own movements became severely limited because of the Corona Virus. Suddenly he found himself in a circumstance very similar to the individuals the he ministered to: he no longer had complete freedom of movement and found himself being told where he could go and where he could not go. It became a spiritual moment for him as a new reality for the individuals he has a spiritual bond with was revealed to him. It was a thoughtful observation that has also impacted me in a way that I wasn’t expecting. There are times when I like to withdraw and be alone with God. There are also times when I like to do things by myself and for myself. These are times and things where I am accustomed to dictating the scheduling of based on my needs, wants, and desires. For the past week now that has not been the case. Much like those who I minister to, I now find my scheduling and movements being controlled by people other than myself and circumstances that I have no control over. I have become a prisoner of sorts. We are all prisoners in this situation and have found ourselves in a situation and circumstance beyond our control. It is here where we can encounter a type of suffering which can benefit ourselves spiritually while bringing us closer to Jesus Christ.

We as Christians are encouraged to take anything we experience and situation that and apply it to our faith; letting it influence our relationship with Jesus Christ. In this way nothing becomes a problem or obstacle but an opportunity to enrich our lives. Adversity makes us stronger and teaches us to rely on Jesus Christ. As human beings we tend to want to seek out solutions and to solve problems by ourselves. Jesus Christ teaches us that having faith in Him is more important and that surrendering to Him; trusting in Him is the first step in accepting His will above ours. It becomes what He wants and not what we want. With that outlook we can enter into any situation with the understanding that we will be better because of it. There is no failure. There is no travesty. There is only growth.

Here we all are children of God united together in this suffering during the Lenten Season. The entire world is a prisoner of some sorts to this faceless enemy that has the capability of destroying economies, wreaking sickness, and bringing death. By the time the Corona Virus is extricated it will have touched the life of every living thing in the world. Yes, that is all bad in a way but there actually some good hidden in there. We are all on one side having the same thoughts and feelings. No one is exempt. All routines and lifestyles have been disrupted in a way and all are suffering. As Christians we are meant to suffer because Christ suffered for us. It is through suffering that a very special grace is encountered. It becomes a unifying factor that brings about a new life through, by, and in Jesus Christ. Even though the world is suffering it is suffering together and has an opportunity to get closer to Jesus Christ. That is the entire purpose of a Lenten Cross and here we have one that we all can carry together.

Our time incarcerated can be used as time to pray for those that we are suffering with and ministering to. We are in a forced exile which strips away all of the things that aren’t really important and enables us to look directly at those things that are truly important to us. There are truly no more distractions to divert ourselves from truly important things because only the important things remain; one of those being Jesus Christ. Let us take this time to get to know ourselves and Jesus Christ deeper. Let us take this opportunity to build on a strong foundation of faith and love. Let us take this opportunity to come closer together unified as children of God.

Deacon Tom