"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'When we read those words spoken by Jesus in Matthew 25, we can easily point to when we have donated food to the poor. Many people go a step further and volunteer to work in inner city shelters serving food to the less fortunate. Most of us have never encountered someone who thirsted for a drink as we go about our cushy lives, yet many of us have been blessed to minister to someone who thirsts for spiritual drink. Certainly when we no longer need an old coat or our children outgrow clothing, we donate it to a charity. Anyone with children or elderly relatives has most likely at one time cared for someone who was ill or shut-in. Many people work in a capacity where it is their profession to care for the sick and dying. What of prison ministry? Can you say that you have visited someone in prison? How often do you include them imprisoned in your prayer intentions?
A Daily Prayer for Justice and Mercy Jesus, united with the Father and the Holy Spirit, give us your compassion for those in prison. Mend in mercy the broken in mind and memory. Soften the hard of heart, the captives of anger. Free the innocent; parole the trustworthy. Awaken the repentence that restores hope. May prisoners' families persevere in their love. Jesus, heal the victims of crime. They live with the scars. Lift to eternal peace those who die. Grant victims' families the forgiveness that heals. Give wisdom to lawmakers and to those who judge. Instill prudence and patience in those who guard. Make those in prison ministry bearers of your light, for all of us are in need of your mercy! Amen.
4 comments:
Are you talking about Dale Recinella???
Love!
Renee
Hi Renee! :)
Upcoming testimony will be shared by two individuals - a husband and wife from my parish who are engaged in prison ministry. They are doing the finishing touches and the first installment should be posted early next week. God bless you and thanks for visiting!
P.S. Why don't you fill our readers in on Dale Recinella, Catholic Lay Chaplain to death row inmates in Florida, USA. Feel free to provide links, etc. :)
A Religious in my Diocese, who visits inmates, introduced me (electronically) to Dale Recinella, who, as Kelly mentioned is a Catholic Chaplain to death row inmates in Florida. Dale left a career as an attorney to devote his life to this mission work; his wife Susan and their five children are all involved in the aspects of those incarcerated or on death row.
His website is:
http://www.iwasinprison.org
Here is a wonderful interview: The Bible and the Death Penalty: An Interview with Dale S. Recinella
http://oldarchive.godspy.com/reviews/The-Bible-and-the-Death-Penalty-An-Interview-with-Dale-S-Recinella-by-William-Bole.cfm.html
I'm looking forward to reading about the couple from your parish!
God bless you!
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