Home from prison...what a nice feeling...

Yes its Wednesday night and I just got home from prison; literally.  Tonight was my Rayburn visit and we had a two for one celebration.  As the men like to pray with and here the Scriptures from the upcoming Sunday we accomodated, reviewing the readings from this 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time.  We had an opportunity to reflect on that wonderful parable of the workers in the vineyard.  And we hear those awesome words of the last shall be first and the first shall be last.  For many of these men in prison this is a very real and poignant reading.  Many come to know Jesus and fall in love with the Eucharist here in prison, after a lifetime of rejecting God's love.  But Jesus' love and mercy is extended to them, even though they may have "come to the vineyard" later in the day!  And it always is a good reminder to pray with St. Dismas; the good thief, who was welcomed into paradise at the last moment.

And the two for one reference is related to today's feast: the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.  No way I was not going to share with them the beauty of this feast and the reminder that Christ, by dying on that tree(the Holy Cross) opened the doors of paradise which were closed after Adam ate from the tree in the garden.  Lift high the Cross!  We even reflected on the reading from the 21st chapter of the Book of Numbers when God told Moses to lift high the bronze pole to alleviate the suffering of the Israelites in the desert from serpents.  God did not take away the serpents; he offered a life giving remedy.  When we think of this world of sin and division, we can look to the Cross, held high, which holds the Savior of the world; our Lord Jesus!  Again, sin and division exist, but God has given all of us the most excellent life giving remedy; eternal life giving remedy: Jesus sacrifice on the Cross.  And don't forget, everytime the Priest, at Holy Mass, holds high the Eucharist; holding high for all to see, it is Jesus: body, blood, soul and divinity.

And the men loved the intense reflections for both of these important celebrations.  And I love that each and every man exchanges both greetings with me when I arrive and the sign of peace before we receive Holy Communion.  And I always love, and am deeply touched, that they always pray for me specifically during the prayers of the faithful.

Man I love my ministry at Rayburn Correctional Center!

And now I'm home and all is peace!!