Breaking Bread with a Surprise Easter Meal

 I don't usually participate in large cookups in prison because they are often stressful, costly, and not as tasty as when no more than two or three people cook up together. But I made an exception on Easter morning. 

Beginning at 6:15 Easter morning, a group of fifteen or so Christians in my unit got together to make two "burrito wraps" for every prisoner in our unit. Altogether, we made 480 wraps in less than two hours. This unusual activity was designed to be a blessing to the men in our unit and to let them know that the Christian brothers care for them. After all, it is Easter, the most holy holiday on the Christian calendar. 

It was remarkable to participate in making this food. I'm a bit of a logistics nerd, so to see how smoothly our operation went, how well we worked together to pull this thing off was amazing. And we had fun while doing it. We shared some laughs, developed and honed our teamwork, and in the end prayed over the food that it would be a blessing before some of the men passed the wraps out with packs of cookies and Koolaid later in the morning. 

Undoubtedly, some prisoners kindly declined the food, some for religious reasons (after all, Christians made it), and some because they won't eat food others cook in prison. But the vast majority received the food with thanks. 

Breaking bread together, as it is called, in prison is one of the best ways to build and strengthen relationships. This is true outside of prison as well. That's why Christianity and other religions, and many ethnic groups, have long histories of sharing meals with others, including with "outsiders." For Christians, breaking bread together is one of the most holy sacraments, that of Communion (also known as the Eucharist). 

While sharing wraps with other prisoners is not the same as celebrating the body of Christ in Communion, it is still an act of worship. Christian brothers pooled resources to pay for the food, for the simple purpose of sharing love with people who seldomly experience random acts of love and kindness. 

It's not always possible to pull off something like we did Easter morning. I've been in prison for twelve years and have only seen this done one other time. But the impact can be huge. Even the unity required to carry out such a large project is a testament to other prisoners who are used to suspicion and selfishness so common in prison. Unexpected kindness has a way of softening people's hearts, and there're a lot of hurting hearts in prison. 

Celebrating any holiday in prison is difficult, but even razor wire fences can't stop some celebrations. A surprise Easter meal isn't an basket of chocolates or an egg hunt with the kids, but it is a simple way to share just a bit of the love of Christ Christians around the world celebrate on Easter.