‘I was ... in prison’

We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ — his disciples on earth. And because he lives always in each of our hearts, and everyone is made in the image and likeness of God, it is really Jesus who we meet in the Corporal Works of Mercy.”

By Tim Rickabaugh, Interim Executive Director, Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri

“For I was…in prison and you visited me” (Matthew 25:35-36).

On an early September morning, I had the opportunity to participate in a prayer and reflection breakfast with “the guys” at the Jefferson City Correctional Center (JCCC).

Prior to this experience, despite having reflected on the Corporal Works of Mercy — feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, burying the dead, and visiting the sick and imprisoned — I had never actually encountered a prisoner before.

In truth, I struggled with the thought of Prison Ministry.

What would I, with my different life experience, have to offer visiting those who are in prison?

Additionally, the very thought of visiting a prison, a maximum-security prison at that, was a bit frightening to me.

Nevertheless, I took heart in the Lord’s words, I was in prison and you visited me, and through this prayer, my fears were put at ease. 

Our morning at JCCC began together with prayer and uplifting praise music.

Immediately, I was moved by the sheer joy reflected in the men around me by the simple acts of singing and clapping.

With the event series structured around offenders studying Discipleship Essentials by Greg Ogden, that morning, we focused on Jesus commissioning the disciples, reading Matthew 28:18-19: “Then Jesus approached and said to them, ‘All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit….’”

A very robust table conversation followed the scripture reading.

Each one of the guys brought a unique perspective on what Jesus was doing by establishing his authority and commissioning the disciples.  

Indeed, that very group which I met with first started with only 10 men.

Now, the group has grown to over 100.

They are actively living out Jesus’ call to go and make disciples. 

I am truly so inspired by the men I encountered.

From their deep spiritual lives to the genuineness of their relationships, I witnessed brothers serving brothers, and I felt that generosity too.

I gained at least 100 new brothers that day. 

Leaving JCCC, I was reminded of the dignity of every person.

Despite the circumstances we might find ourselves in, what matters most is how we reach back to God.

I am grateful to “the guys,” my 100 new brothers, for providing me with as much spiritual insight as I tried to offer them.   

And I am grateful there are ways for you and me to help.

We can pray for those imprisoned, offering spiritual communion, devoting a Rosary, including their intentions in our daily prayer life, or perhaps making a simple request as pass by a facility: “Please keep them safe.” 

The Diocese of Jefferson City has seven correctional facilities within its boundaries — the most in the state of Missouri. 

Let us do what we can for these men and women, living inside our parish and diocesan boundaries, before, during, and after their time in the criminal justice system.

Let us pray for and support the youth in our communities.

Let us visit those imprisoned.

And let us help provide the resources needed for a successful reentry.  

As we commemorate October as Respect Life Month, I pray that our eyes and hearts are opened to all our neighbors, remembering that dignity is inherent, constant, regardless of age, circumstance, or perceived quality of life.

We must uphold and affirm it from the moment of conception to natural death, and at every point in between. 

We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ — his disciples on earth.

And because he lives always in each of our hearts, and everyone is made in the image and likeness of God, it is really Jesus who we meet in the Corporal Works of Mercy.

It is Jesus who I encountered in prison.

At Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri, volunteers and donors help make this mission of encounter and accompaniment possible every day.

If you would like to join us in serving our neighbors with dignity, we invite you to volunteer, make a gift, or learn more about our work at cccnmo.diojeffcity.org. 

Let us continue to seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Daniel of Padua, and St. Maxmillian Kolbe.

May they pray for us and for all the souls in prison today who need sanctifying grace.