Thought of the Day April 1, 2019 Repentance and mercy
The Good Thief on the Cross
Even
though he may had originally joined in the crying out against Jesus, did this
criminal responded such because the grace of Jesus’ first words convicted his
heart? Maybe he had heard about Jesus or even heard Jesus himself before this. Aware
of his own sinfulness and aware of the shortness of his life, he now recognizes
and acknowledges who Jesus really is. He
was aware that above Jesus’s head was the sign: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the
Jews. He acknowledges Jesus as King.
What
is the difference between the two criminals who are suffering alongside of
Jesus? One recognized the injustice of Christ's crucifixion and asked to be
forgiven; the other mocked and blasphemed Our Lord. The good thief accepted the
justice of his circumstances and was rewarded that day. One saw Truth itself
and acknowledged it; the other remained in denial of his own quilt. One was
able to see that his fate was not the end of his existence as he turned his
life to Jesus. The other wanted freedom without repentance. The one who continued in his bitterness never
acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, only said “if you are the Christ.” The repentant thieve called Jesus, Lord. One
author remarked that: "He believed,
he repented, he confessed, he preached, he loved, he trusted, he prayed."
Listen
to St. Cyril of Jerusalem’s account of their difference. “Up to this time both
were wicked, but one of them was wicked no longer. For one was wicked to the
end, yielding not to salvation, and, though his hands were fastened, he struck
blasphemously with his tongue.”
St.
Augustine observes that before his confession he had not boldness to hope for
pardon; he did not dare to say Remember me, until, by the confession of his
guilt, he had thrown off the burden of his sins. He goes on to say: “Amid the
courtroom of the cross, one robber who believed was freed, the other who
insulted him was condemned. He was then signifying in advance what he would do
concerning the living and the dead, putting some on his right and some on his
left. Both were anticipating final judgment.”
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