Thought for the Day - Monday 16 November

Message from Session Clerk Holytown On behalf of Minister: Holytown l/w Wrangholm Parish Churches Thought for the Day – Monday 16th November 2020 Hebrews 13 3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. Exodus 12 29 And that night at midnight, the LORD struck down all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn son of the prisoner in the dungeon. Even the firstborn of their livestock were killed. If you had been with us yesterday at our Zoom service you would have learned that this is ‘Prisoners Week’. This is a week set aside for considering all those involved in or affected by our criminal justice system. We found out that there were a lot of people involved with the prime common purpose being to help convicted individuals unlock their potential to live a transformed life. We all need to remember that people in prison come from a community and most eventually go back into that community. The welcome and support they receive on their return can make all the difference as to whether they reoffend or not. Crime and custody are difficult issues, but the Church has both a role and a responsibility in public debate and in action. It is a natural response for us to be sympathetic to the victims of crime. It is much more difficult to be sympathetic to the needs of the prisoner and yet, this is the least that Jesus asks from us. In the above reading from Exodus, it can be seen that God didn’t ignore those who were in prison (although I’m sure that the prisoners at that time would have been much happier if He had). It reminds us that even though an individual is in prison, God is still aware of them and loves them every bit as much as He loves each one of us. Prayer Heavenly Father We pray for those who work in prison. We give thanks for their commitment to making things better We give thanks for their dedication to carrying out thankless and difficult jobs We give thanks for the skilful use of talents to rebuild shattered lives. Amen