Hope Springs Eternal

Okay, I borrowed the title for the post today; however, this is truly a story of perhaps an unusual realization of hope, and, in ways that not everyone will get, a story of freedom:

CINCINNATI (CNS) -- Ten inmates at Lebanon Correctional Institution north of Cincinnati experienced the sense of hope and promise of new life that accompanies the Easter season when they were welcomed into the Catholic Church March 23.

Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk of Cincinnati celebrated an Easter Mass at the prison during which the men received the sacraments of initiation.

Since last fall, they have been part of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, along with their sponsors, many of whom are also incarcerated at Lebanon, a state prison known as a "close-security" facility, which is one step down from maximum security.

The men wrote letters to Archbishop Pilarczyk petitioning him to celebrate an Easter Mass at the prison and confer the sacraments, and along with the volunteers and Lebanon staff they were thrilled to welcome him.

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It seems with all the negativity in the news, especially where religion is concerned, that a story emphasizing hope will make for an appropriate Easter season reflection.

I don't believe that it is unusual for the incarcerated to get religion, though probably there is less to doubt about jailhouse conversions than skeptics would have us believe.  Often what it takes to find God is to lose everything else.  It's the way of conversion that the majority of us will--quite thankfully--never have to know.

Still, conversion entails surrender and certainly some situations lend themselves to it much easier than others.  In many ways I believe that prison conversion has much the same to do with discovering the power of God as does finding God through recovery from addiction.  I have had many people tell me that it was necessary for them to bottom out entirely before finding the power to be healed.

Indeed conversion is all about healing, though perhaps not in the way that inmates or alcoholics or addicts might understand healing--or even those who have chronic illnesses.  It's a common experience among us that we need to be healed in the area of relationships.  I've given thought to this recently, and I believe that we do a lot for others, in terms of sharing the love of God, when we work to facilitate healing in the area of relationships.

I'm no relationships guru, so I don't have the answers or advice that can make things right.  In fixing your relationship I'd likely fail if I attempted it alone.  I'm sort of a team player in it (that's me in outfield), and really all that I've learned is that someone has to take the initiative and offer reconciliation.  I keep in mind the words of a sermon I heard when I was 12 years old.  The preacher said that compromise is the key ingredient of good relationships.  I've kept that close to my heart all these years.

It may not look like it at first glance, but the prisoners in the story above are healing relationships.  In a similar manner when you and I go to confession or receive Eucharist, we too are healing relationships.  In a wedding homily recently I said that the sacramental marriage has the power to restore friendship with God, and the reality of that too gets its meaning from the involvement of people in each others lives.

Hope is where I started today, and hope where I want to end.  On the surface of things we may not see much hope, but we must be believers.  Now, like any good teacher I'll give a homework assignment: offer reconciliation to someone, either directly or indirectly--play outfield if you'd like--but be sincere in offering an overture of love.

NB-I'd like to thank Sister Eileen Connelly, who wrote the excerpt quoted above from CNS.  Though she may never set eyes on this blog, her overture should not go unrecognized.  A simple prayer goes a long way.

Comments

[JustMe]

What a sweet story. How beautiful it must've been. The Lord is not daunted by thick walls and locked gates--as the Apostles found out, and He transforms even crime to the Good--as Saul found out.

[Ann]

Thanks for this up;lifting story, Deacon Dan.
Hope does indeed spring eternal!