I was in prison, and . . .

Submitted on November 19, 2004

Send to friendWe have all heard the judgement parable in St. Matthew’s Gospel on many occasions. We are well aware of Our Lord’s words, "I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me. I was ill and you comforted me, in prison and you came to visit me" (Matthew 25; 31-46). We know the parable, and over the centuries Christians have done much to assist the needy and tend the sick and aged. We must admit, however, that few of us visit those in prison. We support the humane treatment of prisoners, but most of us shy away from direct contact. The secondary patron of the Archdiocese of St. Louis is St. Vincent De Paul. Although he was the chaplain and confessor of the queen of France, he took special care to serve the poor and those in prisons. He even took the place of a galley slave to focus attention on the plight of even the worst of criminals. This year the Criminal Justice Ministry of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul in the St. Louis Archdiocese is observing its 25th year of operation. In ministering to convicts, its purpose is not to excuse or condone criminal acts but to acknowledge that God’s love and mercy extend to all without exception. As our Lord declared, "I have come to call not the self-righteous, but sinners to repentance." It is not easy to visit those in prison and to encourage and assist them to repair their lives. It is one of the truly demanding corporal works of mercy. When we recall that the magnificent hymn "Amazing Grace" was composed by a repentant and reformed slave-trader, we realize that God’s grace is meant for all of us sinners without exception, and the command to love all is universal.