Grace Behind Bars

My three years of experience with the PDLs has been a meaningful journey of reflection and gratitude. Celebrating the Holy Mass with them has made me realize how fortunate I am to witness their hunger for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Their faces show a deep longing for His presence, and their attentiveness during the Liturgy of the Word is inspiring. Every word spoken by the preacher during the homily is cherished, reflecting their desire for spiritual nourishment.

I believe this longing extends beyond the Holy Mass. Many preachers who visit to share Jesus’ message also find a willing and eager audience. This hunger for spiritual food, which they may have overlooked in their free lives, becomes more evident now that their physical freedom has been taken from them. It is in this time of confinement that they come to realize just how much they need God.

I see this as part of God’s wisdom in our lives. He allows us to experience challenges and difficulties so that we may rediscover our need for Him. As St. Augustine once said, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.” We all need God, and without Him, life loses its true meaning.