This eve of Christmas Eve brought me to prison; Rayburn Correctional Center, where I have served as the Catholic Pastoral Care Chaplain since 2008. This evening brought me to the one place I truly needed to be. Despite some scary weather, God made a way and I arrived at 6 PM and spent two hours visiting with the 45 men present tonight then presiding over a Communion Service.
I preached on today's Gospel about the birth of John the Baptist but certainly visited the Christmas story too. I asked the men tonight, as we celebrate the Jubilee of Mercy, to use the Christmas story to reflect on being merciful. For many of these men it is easy to hold grudges, to not forgive, to not trust, to consider everyone as someone out to hurt them. I asked them to let these realities go and practice mercy. I pray that each man may experience the mercy of the Father and the peace of Jesus Christ!
Tonight the men handed me a beautiful Christmas card signed by many of the men who make up the Catholic Community at this prison. Believe me, this will be my most cherished gift of this Christmas season.
I will be praying for all these men at all my Masses over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. In your charity and in honor of the Jubilee of Mercy, can I ask each of you to do the same.
Merry Christmas and God Bless all the men of the Catholic Community of Rayburn Correctional Center, Angie LA.
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