Karl Gaspar is Free

Karl Gaspar is free! It was in this column almost two years ago that I wrote of Karl Gaspar's arrest and imprisonment in the Philippines. He had been in jail ever since.

For one who loves freedom and beauty as much as Karl, captivity is a painful and difficult thing. And yet, the imprisonment of Karl Gaspar has been absolutely full of the grace of God.

His letters have read like modem-day prison epistles. They chronicle the honest human struggles, the persistent faith, and the unquenchable hope of a brother who has put his life in God's hands. In mysterious and miraculous ways, the testimony of Karl's imprisonment has served to build faith, strengthen conviction, quicken conscience, and "equip the saints," in more places and ways than Karl could ever imagine.

The Marcos regime put Karl in prison to silence him and put an end to his activities on behalf of justice and freedom. Instead, his voice became even more strong and clear and was heard around the world. And the cause to which he has given his life has been greatly served by Karl's prison sojourn.

A letter I recently wrote to Karl reads:

My dear brother Karl,

Lately I've been rereading your letters and reflections from prison. They have become spiritual reading for me. Your epistles have served to strengthen my faith and make me confident in hope.

And I know I'm not the only one. In the mystery and grace of God, your imprisonment has touched the lives and strengthened the hearts of God's people laboring for justice and for peace all over this world.

The government thought they could silence your voice and curtail your activity by throwing you in prison; instead your witness is clearer, and you have inspired many others to action. Karl, your imprisonment has indeed furthered the cause of the gospel and rebounded to the glory of God.

I cannot help but recall the words of Paul written from a jail cell where he also suffered as a political prisoner. It seems to me now that these words apply to your own imprisonment. "I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ; and most of the brothers and sisters have been made confident in the Lord because of my imprisonment, and are much more bold to speak the word of God without fear" (Philippians 1:12-14).

They have locked up your body, but they have not imprisoned your spirit. They have taken away your liberty, but you are still free. They have controlled your movements, but they haven't controlled your conscience. They have accused you with lies, but they have not been able to suppress the truth. They have tried to silence you, but your voice is stronger than ever. They have taken you from your community, but you have formed another one behind the bars. They have tried to quench your faith, but the fires of persecution have only made it stronger.

My brother, you are not alone in that jail cell. The grace of God is clearly with you as are the love and prayers of countless Christians in the Philippines and around the world, many of whom you will never know but who are united with you in the bonds of Christian fellowship.

As for me, my love and friendship for you have grown stronger and stronger over these many months, and I feel even closer to you than before your ordeal began. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers has been a great blessing to me. It has been an occasion of true joy, the kind that comes mingled with sadness and tears.

I rejoice in you, my friend and brother. I rejoice in your faith and in your hope. And I rejoice in the Lord, who has made us one.

When I heard that Karl had been acquitted, I ran all around the office excitedly telling everyone the good news. When I heard that he had been released, I felt my heart leap for joy.

My 9-year-old nephew, Nathan, had written Karl a letter. Karl was in the process of writing him back when he was released. So, Nathan was one of the first to hear the story of what Karl did when he got out of jail. Karl wrote Nathan, "Before I could mail this letter I got released. Finally, after a long wait, the Supreme Court ordered the military to release me this afternoon. I feel great, and we celebrated with ice cream and a swim at the beach. Praise the Lord!"

Karl's particular sensitivity to his fellow prisoners was evident throughout his letters. I know he will not be satisfied until all the captives are set free. But today, in this Easter season, we rejoice that one captive has been set free. We rejoice that both in his captivity and in his freedom the purposes and love of God have been made known throughout the earth. May God be praised. We love you, Karl, and our hearts are filled with thanksgiving.

Jim Wallis is editor-in-chief of Sojourners.