Day Six - Corporal work of Mercy: To visit the imprisoned

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Dear Participants,

Following the teachings of Christ will push you out of your comfort zone, and this work of mercy is a perfect example – visiting prisoners, seriously? We would have to overcome a legitimate repulsion and fear for a place like a prison, maybe even for the prisoners themselves, look past their crimes, and that is not an easy task. However, let’s not forget that, despite their offenses, prisoners are still people, made in the image of God, and they deserve the opportunity to hear the message of Christ.

Today, we will reflect on the following Work of Mercy: to visit the imprisoned

From the Old Testament:

“For indeed, the days are coming – oracle of the Lord – when I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel and Judah – oracle of the Lord. I will bring them back to the land which I gave to their ancestors, and they shall take possession of it.[…]

But you, my servant Jacob, do not fear! – oracle of the Lord – do not be dismayed, Israel! For I will soon deliver you from places far away, your offsprings from the land of their exile; Jacob shall again find rest, secure, with none to frighten him, for I am with you – oracle of the Lord – to save you”.  Jeremiah 30,3;10-11

From the New Testament:

“Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a great contest of suffering. At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction; at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated. You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you had a better and lasting possession.[...]

Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves, for you also are in the body.” Hebrews 10, 32-34 & 13,3

 

From the Saints’ life:

 John Paul II: On May 13, 1981, in the midst of a weekly general audience on St. Peter's Square in Rome, a man opens fire on Pope John Paul II. The Pontiff is shot four times at close range, with one bullet narrowly missing his heart. He attributes the miracle of his survival to Our Lady of Fatima whose appearance took place on a May 13th. In 1983, John Paul II visited the man who attempted to murder him, in his prison cell.

Speaking to the inmates after his meeting, John Paul II said: “I have been able to meet the person whose name is known by all who in the year 1981, on May 13, made an attempt on my life. But providence guided matters in its way – exceptional, I would say, marvelous – so that today, after more than two years, I could meet my assailant and repeat my pardon, which I had offered immediately and also offered publicly as soon as it became possible in the hospital. I think that this meeting, too, in the framework of the Holy Year of Redemption, was providential and was not planned or prepared but took place. The Lord has given me the grace to let us meet as men, as brothers, because all the events of our lives must confirm that God is our father, and we are all his children in Jesus Christ and thus are all brothers.”

Wenceslas, Duke of Bohemia, Prince of the Czechs: although this martyr is not a contemporary saint (he lived in the 10th century), he is worth mentioning. He grew up in an interesting family: his father was a Christian, while his mother was a tenacious Pagan. After the death of his father, the boy way lovingly raised by his paternal grandmother, who cultivated in his heart the love of Christ and the Church. Deeply annoyed by the grandmother’s gentle influence, the boy’s mother had her assassinated. But despite her attempts to regain her son, he remained secretly faithful to Christ. In the meantime, the mother’s infamy was discovered, and she was banned from the kingdom. Wenceslas became ruler of Bohemia at 18 years old.

The reason we’re telling Wenceslas story here is that of how he ruled over his kingdom: peace and security of his subjects were paramount to him. He was known for his good deeds, especially buying freedom for those sold into slavery, freeing the unlawfully detained, visiting the prisoners at night and comforting them. 

Wenceslas was martyred by his jealous brother, who saw in the birth of Wenceslas’ first son his loss of opportunity for succession to the throne. He drew his sword on Wenceslas, who ran to the church. There, on the steps of the refuge, he was beaten and stabbed to death by his brother and his henchmen.

Soon after Wenceslas’ burial, miracles started. It is said that a pagan prisoner made a promise to God: “if the Lord helps me, for the sake of the good deeds of blessed Wenceslas, I will then believe in Christ and give my son to His service.” Immediately, all his shackles slipped off him. The guards fastened them again, but again they fell. And again. The prisoner was released, and kept his promise, having been freed from both physical shackles and the shackles of sin.

John XXIII: Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, who became Pope John XXIII at age 76, was a very, very ordinary person. He grew up on a farm, was an average student, an average theologian. He had no wealth, no particular ability, no stunning look. But he was humble, amiable, and bighearted. He gained the affection and trust of people very quickly, because of his loving heart, his ability to listen, and his positive attitude. From this ordinary mind came the idea of calling the Second Vatican Council, making him one of the most influential popes in the history of modern Christianity.

On Christmas day of 1958, the pope went to visit the Roman prison Regina Cœli (Queen of Heaven). To the inmates, he said upon arrival: “You could not come to me, so I came to you.” Prison officials mapped out the Pope visit by laying down a red carpet. However, Pope John decided to wander down dark, decrepit corridors, where the most dangerous prisoners were confined. Standing behind locked doors, John asked the warden to open the gates: “Do not bar them from me. They are all children of our Lord.” He addressed the inmates as “dear sons and brothers”.

An old hardened inmate kneeled next to him, and said: “I made many mistakes, Holy Father.” The Pontiff comforted the prisoner, telling him: “I looked into your eyes with my eyes. I have put my heart near your heart.” He then wiped the man’s tears.

At John’s death, in 1963, the prisoners of Regina Cœli sent him this message: “With an immense love, we are close to you.”

Community prayer

Prayer to the Divine Mercy of St John Paul II

God, merciful Father, who revealed your love in your Son Jesus Christ, and spread it over us in the Holy Spirit Comforter, We entrust you today the destiny of the world and of every man. Bend over our sins, heal our weakness, overcome all evil, make all the inhabitants of earth experience your mercy, so that in you, God One and Trine, they always find the source of hope. Eternal father, for the painful Passion and the Resurrection of your Son, give us your mercy, as well as to the entire world! Amen.

Thank you! 34 people prayed

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone. Col 4:6

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The 14 works of corporal and spiritual Mercy

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