Uriel G.

Maglines

BSEd 4

Theo 4b-K

Reflection Paper on My Pastoral Activity

The life of being a prisoner is not easy. They have experienced criticisms and judgments
because of what they have done. They were branded as the black sheeps of the society thus, for
others; they should be caged so they could not harm anybody. I had the chance to surf the internet to
search for the programs initiated by the government to help the boarders of the facility to be
rehabbed and earn a living even though they are still in the facility.
Surprisingly, I came across the quote, Setting the captives free from the strongholds of
addiction so that Christ can be reflected in their lives. I have interviewed jail officers in Maasin
City Jail and they have told me that there are many programs that the BJMP or the Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology together with the assistance of the LGUs and government officials, they
were able to introduce the ALS or Alternative Learning System wherein the boarders are given the
chance to learn and to improve themselves. Earn a living through making abaca bags and Christmas
lantern making during the month of December. In a Holy Mass where I had the chance to listen to
the Homily, I have heard the words like, Following in Christ's footsteps, looking like Him - this is
our primary goal. As a result of following Christ, we start to have compassion for those who struggle
and are the "have nots". At some point we hopefully self-reflect, realizing that we are also a "have
not" and are poor and prisoners. At some point, while listening to the Homily outside the prison
bars because students are not allowed to enter to the prison cell, I have realized that God is so loving,
caring, patient and understanding. Hes always there although at some point we most of the time
ignore His call just for us to give way for our earthly desires. BJMP with the cooperation of the city
government conducted a seminar on the Anti-smoking Campaign to promote the City Ordinance.
Listening to the seminar, I have realized that the government is trying its best to develop the person
not just in the spiritual aspect but also the whole person. Officials are trying to provide these
boarders opportunities of growth and development and I hope the boarders were able to reflect
them and were able to internalize them.
As a whole, the walls only truly come down when the good news of Jesus Christ is
proclaimed. Prison visiting brought me a realization of my own emptiness, and of my own inability
to help. I know that many of them face great problems when they leave prison, and that many will
reoffend. I can't pretend that I witness spectacular conversions which change the lives of hundreds of
people. I can, however, testify to the fact that I have seen many unspectacular conversions, and have
helped in a very small way, through God's grace, to keep these tiny but bright flames alight. The
light of hope and the hope to start a new beginning outside the prison walls.