So, last Friday I spoke with Fr. Bob. In the process of telling me about an experience he had, he said, "We have to avoid demonizing the system because we're peacemakers." As soon as he said it, I felt my stomach lurch: I have indeed been demonizing the system... and of course you can hear it in the sarcastic tone of my reflections.
Why am I demonizing the prison system? On an intellectual level I do understand why the system is the way it is, how it developed the way it did. As Fr. Bob says, "The system is designed to isolate, and on top of it, it dysfunctions." Yet, still, I find myself getting angry when I am listening to Chris' experiences, the trials of the other inmates, what his parents and advocates go through to support Chris. All the energy and time and emotion and money...and for what? To just put up with a system that could instead be far better designed and actually WORK to rehabilitate people and improve communities?
See, there I go again, getting ticked. Forgive me! I need to pray for God's grace to have compassion, patience, and love for the leadership who are making the decisions that create and perpetuate this system -- and for all of us who deal with its consequences. Only coming from this place of peace can God shine through us to transform darkness into light.
*Exhale*
Okay, so, you'll have to stay on me about this. Call me out when I am demonizing, and call up the Holy Spirit to give me grace. That's the only way I stand a chance folks.
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