Prison Awareness Sunday
THE Church in the Philippines has designated the last Sunday of October as Prison Awareness Sunday. The Catholic Church has deemed that at least once every year, the Christian faithful are encouraged to remember our brothers and sisters in prison and regard them as our neighbor whom Christ Jesus invites us to love unconditionally.
The theme of the 30th year of the observance of Prison Awareness Sunday is: “Liwanag at Kaligtasan Hatid ni Iyong Pagmamahal: Affirm an Option for Life, Work for Justice that Heals.” The theme reflects the heart of the message of Christ: Love one another. It is from the optic of love that we are being invited to look at others, including those who may have committed mistakes. It is with eyes of compassion that we are being invited to look at everyone, including those whom society regards as errant. In this way, we will allow ourselves to be agents of God’s light and salvation not only to those who are imprisoned but also to our entire society.
The theme also reflects the Church’s teaching on the dignity of life and restorative justice. The Church’s position on these issues is based on Jesus’ teachings and a faith in God that is integral. The Catholic Church teaches that all human life is sacred as all life comes from God and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation for all its social teachings. Christians, therefore, are reminded on this day to value all forms of life as sacred and to be an instrument of healing especially to the wounded.
When I was in prison, and you visited me… whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:37, 40) These words of Jesus bring to our minds how God will judge us in the end. Indeed our love for God cannot be separated from our love of our neighbor. Those who are in prison are our neighbors too and Christ is truly present in each one of them.
On this day, we also pray that our government leaders, including those in the judiciary and law enforcement, be a channel of light and hope to the entire Filipino nation especially those who are poor, the victims of social injustices, and the oppressed. We remember and pray for all those working in our correctional institutions and the volunteers in prison. Through their assistance, may the prisoners find hope amidst their difficult life situation. May they respect the basic dignity and treating them with mercy and love.