When the lights go out in prison

Wednesday night was the usual visit to the men at Rayburn prison. On this night we would be using the sanctuary of the recently dedicated chapel located right in the heart of the prison's massive footprint. All begin well, greeting the men as they arrived and took their seat, opening prayers and the reading of the Sunday readings including the Gospel from St. Matthew; an eye for an eye.

As the prayer intentions begin we were all a bit confused as the prison guards starting yelling and shouting commands and before you knew it we, the visitors, were ordered to leave the men and assemble in the hallway. Not to we accomplished this did we realize that the commotion was a total power failure at the prison; total except for the chapel. That's right, the only light illuminating the prison compound was the chapel. Kind of puts things into perspective; His light never goes out.

But the outage was real and we were told that we would not be able to return to the men. No opportunity to say goodnight, we'll see you next week, nothing. We were led by flashlight to the first secured gates where guards fumbled with a massive key ring to find the right one to move us along. Without power, none of the electronic gates worked. And then once through that gate we proceeded to the main gate which had to be hand cranked to free us to the other side.

This really made me wonder about all the many challenges the guards and administration must face to run a correctional facility and keep the peace. Despite my life changing commitment to serve these men with joy I need an occasional reminder that they are indeed convicted felons serving at the state prison level. The event was not traumatic or even frightening; just a reminder that there are certain realities we must remember as we minister to them and bring God's word and Jesus in Holy Communion to them.

So all the volunteer ministers and chaplains gathered in the front parking lot, disappointed at not completing our visits and we carefully packed Jesus away for the long ride home. And my night was filled with pray for the men and those charged with guarding them and for a peaceful and uneventful night.

And all the while, the light in the Chapel burned brightly.