Friday, May 23, 2025
Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter
My sisters and brothers in the Lord,
Welcome to week twenty-one of BMW, Be My Witnesses. Over the next two weeks, we will continue to go out there and be witnesses. This week we will focus on one of the corporal works of mercy, visiting those in prison. Next week, we will shift to the spiritual works of mercy, admonishing the sinner.
Mission: Visit the Imprisoned
The Letter to the Hebrews (13:3) states: “Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourself, for you also are in the body.” There are many kinds of prisons and many kinds of prisoners. Some are justly separated from society due to the violence of their crimes. Some, in our world, are unjustly condemned. Some are imprisoned in sin or by physical or psychological difficulties.
Still God’s message to the prophet Isaiah (61:1) applies to all: “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me…to proclaim liberty to captives, release to prisoners.” Earlier, this same prophet was instructed, “Is this not, rather, the fast that I choose: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking off every yoke” (58:6). The Servant of the Lord is “[t]o say to the prisoners: Come out! To those in darkness: Show yourselves” (49:9).
Obviously, we would desire the best for others since they are other Christs. So, actual physical freedom would be the goal. Yet, for many who are incarcerated, actual physical freedom would not be real freedom for them. Real freedom is what the Gospel proclaims, especially freedom from sin, such that we can be our true selves, sons and daughters of the Father Most High. This can even be achieved by someone on death row who has turned to the Lord seeking forgiveness and healing.
Our task is to help others find that kind of freedom. Any of our encounters with those who are imprisoned in any way should seek to present to them the face of love and grace which are the doorways to that freedom. Perhaps, this means that we will need to accompany another to assist them on this kind of journey. St. Paul wrote to the Galatians (5:1): “For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.” Jesus instructed us in this process: “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).
The Challenge
For our challenge this week, seek to live in Christ’s freedom at a deeper level by forgiving someone you have not yet released. In these circumstances it is usually ourselves who are most enchained. Forgiving another allows us to experience the kind of freedom Christ came to bring. Then share this experience with your small group. Until next week, may God Bless you.
I am sincerely yours in Christ,
+ Earl Boyea
Bishop of Lansing
P.S. Below is a video version of this week's Be My Witnesses. Please do share with family and friends. Thank you. God bless you.