Both Sides of the Fence

If the prison system must have one thing, it must have security—security, of course, defined on its own terms. As I read our book for the Saturday night group meeting at RMSI tonight, I am struck by the notion of security.

Security manifests itself in many ways. As I sit here, I'm struck by the fact that the Sinai "Christ Pantocrator" icon (pictured here) could technically not be brought into a prison, because Jesus is pictured flashing a gang sign (a.k.a., giving a blessing). In fact, a group picture from one of our excursions to Gethsemani was blocked by Riverbend administration because one my friends was offering a blessing in a like manner. I guess the Tennessee Department of Corrections doesn't need any overt signs of Christian oneness floating around since such signs  cast doubt on the whole narrative of the prison system.

Still, the fact that the prison system has a problem with the classic Eastern image of Christian blessing in the very name of Jesus Christ—the forefinger and middle finger making the letters "IC" and the thumb, ring finger, and pinky finger making the letters "XC"—should tell us something about the nature of the system. Moreover, it should give us pause to ask questions about Christianity. For example, is Christianity as scandalous as the violent gangs in prisons? Note that I say scandalous and not violent! If security is understandably threatened by violent gangs and if Christian symbols are treated with the same hesitancy as gang symbols, what might that imply—both about the prison system and for us?

How do we interact with Departments of Corrections differently if our Savior tells us that prisoner and prison guard are ontologically the same? That their "sameness" manifests itself through the saving, reconciling work of the Christ who blesses? And not only that prisoner and prison guard are the same, but that also prisoner and visitor, prison guard and visitor are the same? What does it mean for security if—to prarphrase John McCutcheon's song, "Christmas in the Trenches"—on both sides of the fence, we're all the same?

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

– Philippians 4