Excerpt from:

Reflections on Some Theologico-Ethical Norms

for Prison Ministry A Response

By J. DARYL CHARLES

     'For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came tome.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ ...

Daily Devotional

Matthew 25: 35-46

THE MINISTRY MODEL

     THE CHALLENGE FOR THE CHURCH IS TO APPLY A MINISTRY MODEL THAT IS FAITHFUL TO THE FATHER, EXPRESS ITSELF IN LOVE FOR THE SON, AND IS FUELED BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. SUCH A MODEL IS ROOTED IN THE REDEMPTIVE REALITY OF THE CROSS, AND IT AVOIDS THE TEMPTATION TO DISSOLVE THE TENSIONS BETWEEN IMMANENCE AND TRANSCENDENCE, HOLINESS AND LOVE, FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY, DIGNITY AND DEPRAVITY. IT IS COGNIZANT OF THE FACT THAT AN INDIVIDUAL'S WORTH DERIVES NOT FROM HIS UTILITY IN THE WORLD NOR IN A POLITICO ECONOMIC SCHEME THAT FOREVER CRIES OUT FOR "MARGIONALIZED" STATUS; RATHER, IT ISSUES FROM HIS NATURE AS A BEING CREATED IN THE IMAGO DEI. MOREOVER, THE VALUE OF THE INDIVIDUAL IS BALANCED BY AN EQUAL CONCERN FOR SOCIETY COLLECTIVELY. ANY ETHIC THAT TAKES BIBLICAL AUTHORITY SERIOUSLY WILL NECESSARILY CORRELATE THE MORAL ACTIONS OF THE INDIVIDUAL WITH THE WELFARE AND MORAL GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY.