The night before Thanksgiving, for the past 3 years, has been spent at Rayburn Prison and tonight was no exception. Of all the Wednesday nights I visit the men at prison, this is one of my favorite nights to be there. It is a sad night for the men in some ways but a happy night in others. Most of the men are missing family and friends since they won't be with them for Thanksgiving Day. And the meal they will eat tomorrow won't measure up to a great traditional Thanksgiving feast. Many of the men are very thankful however because for them, prison and being acvtively involved in ministry may have saved their lives. Many are getting a good education while in prison and many have reconnected with their faith live, redidicating themselves to God while others have accepted Christ for the first time in their lives. Others are learning new skills and rethinking how they will approach life on the outside. For all those who have changed their lives and for those still working on it; I am thankful!
Tonight, we looked forward to the 1st Sunday of Advent so we used the new Roman Missal. If tonight is any kind of barometer for the Masses this weekend, the responses will be all over the place. But what was most important is that we were able tonight to explain the changes, including the rich liturgical and theological reasons behind them.
So as I left the prison tonight the men were quick to thank me for my visit and all wished me a Happy Thanksgiving. And I did the same, knowing full well that tomorrow will be just another day at Rayburn. Please join me in keeping these men in our prayers, particularly for Thanksgiving!
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