Luke 23:33-43
33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his r ight and one on his left.
34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing.
35 And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
“You will be with me in Paradise"
The titulum, or title, of Jesus’ crucifixion is the sign on top of His Cross. "The King" looks glorious, but below the Cross He is despised and mocked by the religious and political authorities, and the crowd.
Jesus is crucified between two thieves who represent humankind in their faith in or their denial of God's presence, power and mercy.
The thief on the left seems aware of his crime and deserved punishment. Instead of penance, he blames Jesus because He is not doing anything to save him. This man gives up hope and succumbs to the second death as described by St. John in Revelation 21:8, “…the unbelieving, the vile…will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulphur. This is the second death.”
The thief on the right side, professing his faith in Jesus, feeling guilty and deserving severe punishment, shows penance and asks for forgiveness with firm hope in the innocent Jesus that’s being crucified. The thief’s few words sum up real contrition: confessing one's own sins, imploring God's mercy and being determined to be with Jesus. His earthly death will lead to a new eternal life with the One who is offering Himself for the salvation of humankind.
The two thieves represent humans today. Some ignore God's presence and continue to live in their sins, justifying themselves and blaming others for what they are suffering from. They’ve lost true internal peace and their hope in life eternal. Revelation 2:11, “The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.” Some acknowledge their weakness, their failures and their sins. They keep faith and hope, knowing that hope is a part of faith. Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."
Both are thieves. “All have sinned and are short of God’s glory” Romans 3:23. Some like the first thief lose faith and hope. Others like the second keep trying to retrieve forgiveness and internal peace through Jesus. He came to save and not to condemn, offering himself for salvation and never for perdition. “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” John 3:17.
Today's Gospel introduces us to the Advent Season, which starts next week. This season is intended to be a season of examination of conscience. Every faithful has to consider and prepare her or himself to receive the Incarnated Word of God in a renewed heart and mind, fully faithful and hopeful.
The Advent wreaths in our churches and homes inspire:
The Candle of Faith and Hope,
The Candle of Internal Peace (given by Christ),
The Candle of Love, God's nature bestowed upon the faithful, and
The Candle of Joy that gives our lives meaning and flavor.
Some add a fifth candle for the faithful who are called to be a light in the darkness according to the Lord's Beatitude, "You are the light of the world" Matthew 5:14.
With John the Baptist and the repentant thief on the right side of the Crucified Jesus, let us remember that God's Kingdom is at hand and pray to the Redeemer and the Savior, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom".