How to fill your heart with joy

 

Over the years I have been involved in many ministries that have been spiritually rewarding for me. Two, in particular are ministering to the elderly in nursing homes and ministering to those in prison.

I’d like to share a beautiful story about the blessings I received from visiting those in prison.

 My first experience inside a prison frightened me to death. And it continued to so even for quite some time. As soon as I heard, and felt those huge iron doors slam close behind me, I was intimidated. But I never let it known.

 But as I look back, there were so many wonderful heartfelt stories that made every visit for me a gift from God, as I knew God was there among us, and in the heart of each prisoner in that room. Those I ministered to wanted God desperately.

I remember George, a prisoner, who for eight months sat in the back of the room when I conducted a Communion Service at that prison. Always with his head down, staring at the floor.

 When it was time to receive the Blessed Sacrament, he would remain in his seat with his chin on his chest, shaking his head from side to side reflecting on where he went wrong.

The other inmates in that room were compassionate and told me they knew George was hurting deep inside.

One Wednesday, a priest came to hear confessions prior to the Communion Service and George hurried in first.  A transformation was evident for immediately after his confession George sat in the front row, not in his customary back seat in the room.

Yes, there was a change in George, a beautiful change. When it came time to receive the Blessed Sacrament, George came up first and there were tears in his eyes as he received our Lord for the first time in eight months.

But he walked to his regular seat in the back and, like a child knowing he is loved by the Father, allowed the tears to flow. “Jesus”, he said, “stay with me”. The other inmates bowed their heads and were filling up as well.

The prison ministry, like any other ministry, has its own rewards, and I have come to realize that through our hands, our words, our shoulder, we are placing Jesus right there in the middle. “Where two or three gather in my name I am with you”.

 There is without a doubt, that inner peace in the joy of serving God through others. I’m sure anyone who does so, can relate and hold deep in their hearts some cherished memories.

 Yes, I was frightened to death on my first visit to the prison and not everyone would be comfortable in that environment. But, there are many other ways we can still help those in prison, or feel like they are in a prison.

 I like to think that every visit I make, whether it be to a nursing home, a prison, a hospital or to a home bound person, there is another George to be found, who will fill my heart with joy.