Entertaining Angels

I’ve been a witness countless times over the past 8 years or so of the significance -- moreover the need -- of prison ministry.  I've read numerous testimonials and letters of gratitude and appreciation to persons or groups "outside the walls" who have taken their time and energy to share their faith with total strangers.  I've seen attitudes and even lives changed by simple, thoughtful, prayerful contact and conversation with Christians.

There are more than a few good people out there just trying to live the gospel message –- trying to take serious Jesus’ gentle reminders that we are our brother’s keeper. We are all called, as members of the Mystical Body of Christ, to spread the gospel, to spread His love.  And neither trial, nor distress, nor persecution, nor famine, nor nakedness, nor peril, nor the sword can separate us from His love. Nothing -- not even prison walls.

The Church calls us to visit the imprisoned, to bring the love of Christ to those behind bars -- a corporal work of mercy.  By the grace of God, Bud Cope and the St. Dismas Prison Ministry have provided us a vehicle: the Metanoia Retreat.

Here's what one inmate of a Texas state prison had to say following a 4-day Metanoia Retreat:

I recently had the wonderful opportunity and very special pleasure to attend a 'retreat' - a St. Dismas Metanoia Weekend, which was more like a 'Catholic Crusade'. It was sponsored by, and put on by, a great group of Catholics from Pennsylvania for our Catholic Community.

First, I’d like to say that in all of my life I couldn’t recall a more wonderful, loving, and worthwhile experience, Ever! The people on the Team are a true witness of God’s Love for all His children. There was so much unselfish care poured out that I personally felt that the Holy Spirit was present and working His Grace the whole entire weekend. The love, the joy, and the peace are something I never thought I would or could feel, especially in a prison environment. The spiritual messages brought to us by the team and shown to us in the scriptures gave me so much food for my soul that I thought about where I’ve been in my life and where I want to go from here ...

... I listened to the messages my Brothers and Sisters in Christ brought to me/us all the way from across seven States, wanting and expecting nothing from me except to show the Word of God and His Love in their hearts with me. I couldn’t help but to be constantly amazed and moved within. And I’ve found that more and more I feel that inner peace of heart, which has eluded me my whole life. I’ve also come to realize that all I really need in my life is to invite God daily and to ask for His guidance and grace through Holy Communion in all my decisions and goals. It evidently works beautifully for the team-members, and is beginning to work in me, now. At the end of the retreat/crusade, the rector, asked us: “What did we get out of the weekend and what are we planning to do with it.”

Well, here I’ve already described what I personally received, and when I spoke in Chapel, I expressed the desire to let the Lord guide me from now on. I’ve found that to be the easiest decision I’ve ever made in my entire life that gave such a return of free gifts from the Lord. I pray that the Brothers of St. Dismas grow, merge and spread in PA and everywhere. I want to participate and help it do so in any way I can, be through prayer here in prison or actual physical works outside to accomplish its mission. For I believe the movement has God’s full blessing and I want to be a part of something good in my life. My heartfelt thanks to the team for all the inspiration, and for bringing the Love of God back into my life.


Glenn

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. (Heb 13:2-3)