Easter Sunday — Hope for Eternal Life

By Bishop Earl K. Fernandes, Diocese of Columbus | Today’s Readings

At “Baby Bishops School”, Pope Francis exhorted us to visit prisons to keep in contact with the harsh realities of life. Taking his words to heart, I offered Mass for those on death row in Ohio. One man at the Christmas Mass said, “Bishop, I hear you’re from Cincinnati. That’s where I’m from.” I asked, “Which part?” He answered, “Camp Washington.” I said, “Well, I was the administrator of Sacred Heart.” He said, “That’s my church!” I then asked, “Is your mother named Pat?” He nodded sadly. 

His mother had recently passed. Every Sunday, she stopped me before Mass and asked for prayers for her son who was “in jail.” She never told me that he was on death row or what he had done, but now I stood before her son. I was happy to meet him and to offer Mass there. 

Fortunately, there haven’t been any executions in Ohio for some years. We are working hard, collaborating with the Catholic Mobilizing Network and others, to make sure there will be none in the future. What I have come to realize is that we are not just dealing with “prisoners” but with people who have an inherent dignity and who are worthy of care and respect, despite their crimes, sins, and weaknesses.

This man was a true son to his mother, who loved him dearly. During this time of year, I think of another Mother who faithfully stood by the Cross and watched her Son die, not for His sins, but for ours. He was a Victim of injustice, but, who through His Death and Resurrection, reconciled us to the Father and to one another. We, who were sentenced to an eternal death, suddenly had our fortunes reversed and were given the hope of eternal life.

I met another man that day on death row. He converted to Catholicism in prison and received baptism. He wrote to me because he had been receiving hate mail from his family for converting. I met him privately to listen to his story. I encountered a man who had changed or who had been changed by God’s grace. I offered words of consolation and encouragement. When I returned the following year, he asked if I remembered him. I asked, “Are things better with your family?” He smiled and said, “Well, this is my family, now and God is my Father.”

Returning for Christmas Mass again this year, I was happy to see him. I often wonder whether this will be his last Christmas, but he keeps going. So too do the other men and women who are incarcerating and facing execution. Last year on Holy Thursday, I went to a prison to wash feet. Afterward, a Spanish-speaking man said, “When you washed my feet, for a moment, I felt free.”

Christ, our Crucified and Risen Lord, brings freedom from sin and death. He is Risen! He is truly Risen! Alleluia!

Reflection Questions:

1. Do I think of those on death row as persons to be loved or simply as prisoners who committed crimes?
2. Do I believe in the power of the Cross and Resurrection to change lives, including my own?