"Today You Will Be With Me In Paradise"

Instead of resistance, Jesus offered forgiveness.

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:39-43

If we are ever tempted to feel unworthy of forgiveness, we would be wise to reflect on the story of a particular condemned criminal who is remembered by Divine Providence in the Bible, the most read book ever.

Talk about taking one's place in history.   

On the cross next to Jesus, the Good Thief was offered both hope and despair by opposing forces;  one was good, and the other was evil.  He most likely felt less worthy of forgiveness because he was a thief.  Nevertheless, he allowed himself to be enticed to faith. The Good Thief crucified next to Jesus recognized and acknowledged that his own punishment was just. A guilty man accepted responsibility for his actions, asked for forgiveness, and accepted salvation.

The foundation was being established for what is now known as Catholic courage.  

The Good Thief acknowledged his Savior and was remorseful for his sins.

That takes faith, trust, humility, and courage.  It also takes love to say, "I'm sorry." 

He responded to the thief hanging on the third cross:

“Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.”

What a moment that was not only for the three men being very publicly and barbarically executed that afternoon, but also for the witnesses standing below.  Perhaps they listened intently, perhaps they added their own opinions, perhaps they agreed with the Good Thief, perhaps their lives were forever changed by that momentous exchange.  Perhaps they scoffed at Jesus' generosity, refused to acknowledge His unfathomable mercy, and insisted on cultivating their own ideas. 

The same can be said of the witnesses to this story today.  Reactions vary.

As we pray for our own souls, and each time we ask Jesus for forgiveness, greater faith, and more trust in Him, may we also pray for the conversion of all sinners.

For at the moment of redemption for the entire human race, a sinner whom Jesus came to save recognized his Savior. The man acknowledged not only that Jesus' treatment was severe and unjust, but that Jesus offered forgiveness as He gave up His life so save ours.

The story of the Good Thief is significant because he recognized and acknowledged our Lord's decision to love sacrificially and to forgive.  

The Good Thief accepted Jesus’ offer in one sentence!

 “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

Forgiveness is inseparable from loving, and is so important that our innocent Savior showed us how to do it by forgiving a remorseful man as He was being crucified.  

“Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

May we respond to the lesson taught to us through the apostolate of the Good Thief by accepting the redeeming love of God, holding ourselves accountable for our actions, and treating everyone with the mercy and compassion shown to us by Jesus. 

Accept Jesus' magnificent offer of forgiveness and love!  You can do it in one sentence, as the Good Thief did, or you can do it in one word.    

God is at work in you!

The Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light; and

Where there is sadness, joy.

Divine Master,

Grand that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand;

To be loved as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

And it is in dying that we are born

to eternal life.

~St. Francis of Assisi

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The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright, 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.