Osler's Razor

Like many others, I have been rooting for the passage of the First Step Act, which I described in some detail this past Thursday. It was a limited measure, but one that would have helped a lot of people in the position of those we have worked with on clemency, including those with cases identical to Weldon Angelos, Rudy Martinez, and Ronald Blount (among others I know).

My own perspective is informed by knowing the success of those we worked with who were released through clemency. They have thrived, returned to their families, and become productive citizens.  It's not an abstraction; I talk to them on the phone and sometimes visit with them. It's very real.

On Wednesday of this week, President Trump announced his support for the bill. Then, on Friday, it stalled in mid-air.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell apparently decided not to bring the bill to the floor of the Senate this year, despite a promise to do so if 60 member supported it (and it seemed that this threshold was reached). He said there wasn't time, but many speculate that the real reason was that he did not want to go forward if members of his caucus were opposed (and of course some were). Pushing it to next year means starting over, since the composition of the House will be new, which will create greater division over criminal law issues, which may make broad compromise unlikely.

Now, I am responding to notes from mothers and sisters and kids of those incarcerated, who want to know what the prospects are. I don't have good news for them. There is a deep sadness that goes with that.

Christians like me believe that what happened to Jesus wasn't random, but that God allowed a life for his Son that not only shows us truth but illustrates what is important. Next month we will bring out our nativity scenes, which remind us that Jesus was born into poverty. I don't think that is an accident. Neither is it an accident that Jesus was a criminal defendant, unjustly tried and brutally executed. We are meant to care about those in prison. And if that is not enough, if that wasn't clear, there are the words of Jesus himself, who taught that when we visit those in prison, we visit him.

Faith means different things to different people. For some, it ennobles themselves and justifies safety and riches. For others, it points them towards sacrifice and those who are the least of those among us, the downtrodden, struggling and scorned.

In which group would we find Jesus?