It’s seems right that the pope has a heart for prisoners! Should we, as well?

I’m writing this piece late on Sunday. One more time, Pope Francis prompts these comments. 

The pope was in a women’s prison in Venice today. The Holy See set up the Vatican Pavilion at the Biennale, one of the most prestigious events on the art world's calendar, inside the prison. 

I’m not going to talk much about the art exhibit, except to tell you about the spectacular prison entrance. Persons walking through the opening gate encountered a wall mural, painted by Maurizio Cattelan, showing two giant filthy feet. The work, titled “Father,” recalls the feet that Francis washes each year in a Holy Thursday ritual that he routinely performs on prisoners! 

More details about the art exhibit are available in various news sources. I want to focus on, not only the words of Pope Francis, but the example that he sets for the church, and for you and me. 

The pope began his visit with a meeting with 80 women prisoners at the Giudecca Women’s Prison. Pope Francis, pushed in a wheelchair, greeted all detainees! He highlighted the problem of overcrowding in many prisons. 

Reports Yahoo news: In his remarks to the prisoners, the pontiff also emphasized the opportunities that imprisonment offers for a new beginning. "Paradoxically, a stay in a prison can be the beginning of something new, the rediscovery of unsuspected beauty in ourselves and others, as symbolized by the artistic event that you are hosting and to whose project you are actively contributing.” 

Then these comments. 

Number one, he called on the prison system to "offer detainees the tools and room for human, spiritual, cultural and professional growth, creating the conditions for their healthy reintegration. 

And number two, beautiful personal sentiments: ""Let us not forget that we all have mistakes to be forgiven for and wounds to heal, I too, and that we can all become healed who bring healing, forgiven who bring forgiveness, reborn who bring rebirth.” 

We should all be moved and motivated by this 87-year-old Christian leader. How I wish more prominent religious leaders would also take time to wash the feet of prisoners on Holy Thursday; would take their message of forgiveness and redemption into prison cells as well as mega-church auditoriums; would simply remember those who are incarcerated, as well as their families, in their prayers; would remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 26! 

About 10 miles north of where I’m sitting there are two large state prisons. My guess is that right now the joint population is about 2,500 inmates. 

Another statistic: There are 202 religious organizations and churches in the greater Muskegon area. 

It behooves all of us who follow Jesus to not only absorb the words of Pope Francis, but to emulate his actions.

 

 

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