Guard your Hearts

Written by Elaina Jo Polovick on Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend Mass at the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California (a women’s prison in the Bay Area of California). As it drew time for Mass to start every seat in the chapel was filled and the women in the choir began to sing with great joy. It was my first time visiting a prison and although I didn’t know what to expect I was surprised by how joyful Mass was.

Prison is a place we do not want to be, and yet I felt at home there in that chapel. The women extended their hands to hold mine as we prayed the Our Father and with gentle smiles offered me a sign of peace. When I looked around the room I was struck by the beauty of every woman there. They, just like me, are children of God who came to the chapel to grow closer to our loving Parent. These women who are guarded in many ways by others rise above this to guard their hearts. They stand firm in their faith and are not shaken by the struggles they face.

In today’s Gospel Jesus says, “This generation is an evil generation.” There are many who may look at a prison and say that those inside are evil people, but the women I met were not evil. They prayed with joy and longing for the love of God. They prayed not only for themselves but also for their families, friends, and other incarcerated women they do not know. These women who are so often judged, criticized, and cast out welcomed me without any hesitation. They showed me that we can not give up and we can not isolate ourselves – we must be in community with others and guard our heats wherever we are.

Questions for Reflection:
In what ways do you guard your heart?
Are you being called to guard your heart in a new way this Lenten season?

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Elaina Jo Polovick
Elaina Jo worked at St. Mary’s as a peer minister (campus ministry associate) last year. She is currently studying at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, CA in the Maters of Divinity program.
Email: elainajopolovick@gmail.com