Prison

Joseph in Prison

Genesis 39

…the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love…  v. 21

          When we are looking for reasons to visit those in prison, we can begin with the fact that God is already visiting there.  Joseph is in Pharaoh’s prison on trumped up charges.  God does  not abandon him to that fate.  Indeed, God’s presence and Joseph’s reliance on that presence allows Joseph to become a trustee in the prison and a leader.  

           In this prison are two of Pharaoh’s servants:  a cupbearer and a baker who have displeased the Pharaoh in some way.  In prison they have dreams and ask Joseph to interpret them.  Joseph’s interpretations turn out to be true.  The cupbearer is restored to his position and the baker is hanged just as Joseph said.  

       Two years pass until Joseph is again called upon to interpret a dream.  This time it’s Pharaoh who dreams.  Joseph interprets the dream as predicting seven abundant years and seven famine years for Egypt.  His advice to Pharaoh is to store up the surplus for use in the times of famine.  Joseph is put in charge of this program of saving lives.

        We have become aware of imprisoned innocents, most notably and recently the Central Park Five.  A rush to judgment, a willingness to disbelieve the accused, a fallible judicial system can consign the innocent to imprisonment for many years.  For some of them, at least, the presence of God in that place gives them the strength to endure.

        Who reminds them of that presence?  Jail chaplains surely, but also those who come from the outside to stand alongside the innocent in their imprisonment.  When it’s appropriate, it may even mean taking up their claim of innocence.  When we visit a prison, we find that God is already there living in the shadow of the cross and living in the least of these.

Pray:  O God the author of freedom, we pray for all who reside in our prisons and jails.  For those who are innocent and those who are guilty.  Walk with them in these days so that when their term is ended they may return to wholeness of life. Amen.

Fast: From words that condemn and judge.

            Act:  Collect items for prison ministry such as Holy books of all faiths, 

                        OR set aside $1 for the ELCA World Hunger justice project or local 

                        Jail Ministry.