NBC News and Easter? Really?

NBC News delivered an Easter message on Good Friday!

I’m a broadcast journalist (no longer on the air)(“Thank the Lord,” some might say!), and I know that NBC executives would be appalled if they thought they had delivered a Jesus story. But that’s exactly what happened.

It was the Evening News with Lester Holt. Always looking for a good newscast closer, they found this one. “In 1998, Randall Bagley shot and killed Donald Mitchell during a Maryland robbery. When Bagley asked for a sentence reduction 24 years later, Mitchell's son Idris stunned the courtroom by announcing his forgiveness and asking the judge to release him. Lester Holt shares more on this moving story of forgiveness.”

As you know, I’m no longer in the news reporting business…I now speak up for people behind bars. Time and again I am saddened by the lack of forgiveness by otherwise very kind and decent people. When convicted criminals plead for a second chance, the phrase Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us gets ignored. Victims of heinous crimes and their families speak in these hearings, often in anger and hatred. “My murdered daughter doesn’t get a second chance…why should this person?”

As a prisoner advocate, one of my favorite stories took place on Good Friday, as told by Dr. Luke: One criminal taunted Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” And then the other thief rebuked him, saying, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus told him, “This day you will be with me in paradise.” 

Jesus’ followers were so traumatized by the whole crucifixion scene that I’m betting they never caught the significance of this little scene, involving a criminal sometimes named Dismas. As I see it, Jesus used this little prelude episode to explain the whole message of Easter. It’s forgiveness!

On March 25, the Catholic Church observes the Feast of St. Dismas. I like that! As a person who works and mingles with inmates, the story has deep meaning for me. It should also have deep meaning for every person behind bars. But the message is also for victims of crime and their families. As followers of this itinerant preacher, we, too, must forgive.

The Easter message, underscored by NBC, is for all of us. It is especially good news for those behind bars.

He is risen! We are forgiven!

 

Comments

Louise Reichert said…
I loved that story! What courage, love, and yes, forgiveness that act took! God bless Idris Mitchell again and again! May Randall Bagley have a chance at a new life!
April 9, 2023 at 8:43 AM
MaryMargaret said…
On Sunday mornings Fr Jack LaGoe said Mass at the prison. He would often mention his experience in his homily at the 11:00 AM Mass later in the morning at the Christian Community Center where he was Directory. He referred to the prisoners as Monks of St Dismas. I was always so moved by his love for and commitment to providing weekly Mass for the men incarcerated in Muskegon.
April 10, 2023 at 5:32 PM
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