Relections at Easter

As I search for individuals to interview for my next book, I find myself in a bit of a dilemma. I want to interview those who believe in the next life and have a terminal illness, have faced a life-threatening situation, or are eve on death row. It's the latter that gives me pause.

Matthew 25: 41-45 states: "Then he [Jesus} will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' 44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 45 "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'"

We all know we should feed, clothe, and be kind to strangers, but visit or look after those prison? There is a certain red flag that immediately is noted by most of us, especially if it means visiting or corresponding with someone on death row! But while searching the Internet for death row inmates, I stumbled upon a website that indicates the names and locations of prisoners in three states who are seeking pen pals via snail mail.

I admit that I am somewhat apprehensive, especially because I would not want a convicted criminal to have my residential address. We've all heard the horror stories of unsuspecting women falling victim to incarcerated individuals who prey upon them. But then, there is another side. Sometimes people are innocent, and sometimes they are reformed by faith. We are willing to chance a casual relationship with others who might fall into those categories, but it just seems outrageously dangerous to do so with a convicted felon. Still, regardless of my views on capital punishment, I can only imagine how lonely and isolated prisoners must feel, especially those on death row.

So my dilemma is really how to approach my research. I plan to acquire  a post office box for inquiries about the book and to receive directly related correspondence. This seems like the most appropriate way to make contact, but we all know that anyone could probably find us via the Internet.

But in the hopes that I am not alone in feeling compassion for those unfortunate individuals who may be innocent or are repentant of their crimes, I want to share the website should anyone be interested in making occasional contact: http://www.friendonline.org/. I saw only one inmate, while just scanning the list, who had an email address, and I would certainly recommend correspondence only through a generic yahoo.com or maybe gmail.com address.

As we near Good Friday and Easter, it seems relevant to remember that we didn't deserve forgiveness for our sins and shortcomings, but Jesus was not reluctant to show us the compassion we needed. So, do we comfort or care for those who have done a great wrong and are now penitent? That is something we all have to ask ourselves and decide what Jesus really meant in Matthew 25.