WORKS OF MERCY - RESTORE
When reflecting on the work of mercy that is “Visit the Imprisoned,” it is important that we first see ourselves in the prisoner. Hebrews 133 says: “Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves, for you also are in the body.” We may not ever find ourselves behind physical bars, but we have all experienced imprisonment in some way or another. Jesus says: “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” (John 8:34) And Romans 3:23 reminds us: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Because of our fallen nature, many of us also find ourselves imprisoned by things such as fear, shame, depression, anger, addiction, etc. Others may feel imprisoned and isolated because of certain circumstances in their life.
The good news is, though all of us will experience the pain that is imprisonment to some degree, we are all also offered the freedom that comes from knowing Jesus Christ. In Luke 4, Jesus publicly used the words of the prophet Isaiah to describe Himself in this way: “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; He has sent me to bring good news to the afflicted, to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, release to the prisoners…” (Isaiah 61: 1) Romans 8 puts it this way:
“Hence, now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has freed you from the law of sin and death…Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God Who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ [Jesus] Who died, rather, was raised, Who also is at the right hand of God, Who indeed intercedes for us…For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:1-39)
It is our mission as Christians to help share the good news of freedom that is found in Jesus. It is a freedom that does not always change circumstances, but it does change hearts. And it is a freedom that excludes no one, not even the worst of sinners. Many of the saints had extremely sinful and difficult pasts. Saints who were murderers, thieves, prostitutes, drug addicts, you name it. Christ’s grace can reach the darkest corners of the world and the darkest corners of the human soul if only there is the slightest openness to His love.
If Christ so loves us and all sinners, so we are also called to love others. To love means to be willing to forgive offenses willingly , just as Jesus forgives us. Now forgiveness does not mean erasing or condoning what another person has done. It does not even mean that we will necessarily feel better or not have to wrestle with choosing forgiveness over and over again. What it does mean is that we make a conscious choice to relinquish our right to revenge, and instead entrust ourselves and the other person(s) to God’s mercy.
“Then Peter came up and said to Him, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22)
Forgiveness sets others free, but in an even more profound way it sets our own hearts free from the imprisonment that is resentment and unforgiveness. This type of freedom is possible with the help of God’s grace.
What are some specific examples for practicing the works of mercy that are “Visit the Imprisoned” and “Forgive Offenses Willingly” ?
Go to the sacrament of Reconciliation frequently and thank God for His mercy and forgiveness in your life.
Apologize willingly and honestly to anyone who you have wronged, and make amends as much as possible.
Recognize the dignity of every human being as a child of God, even convicted criminals and those who have hurt you. Pray for them instead of speaking ill of them.
Resist judgment towards others. Celebrate and welcome those who have repented (or who are in the process of repenting) and seek community in the Church.
Learn about how the Church advocates for the respectful treatment of prisoners around the world and become an informed advocate yourself.
Support your local prison ministry by volunteering or making a donation.
Participate in a pen pal or care package program for someone who is isolated because of incarceration, military assignment, illness, or other circumstances.
Visit a nursing home and give the gift of your company to those who may be feeling imprisoned by loneliness.
Reach out to someone who you know has been lonely or ostracized in some way. Consider how you can include others in certain plans and activities. Extend an invitation or choose to sit with someone who would normally be overlooked at a party, ministry event, etc.
Make the first move in forgiving someone who you have been harboring resentment towards in some way. Try saying the actual words: “I forgive you.” Do whatever it takes to help you reach that place of willful forgiveness. A good place to start is by prayer and reception of the sacraments, and sometimes also by therapy and spiritual direction.
Share about the gift of the sacraments of Reconciliation with others and invite them to take advantage of this gift in their own life.