Date: Sunday, November 20, 2016
Did you see the moon rising into the night sky and when, just before dawn, it dipped below the horizon? We could see the rugged surface of the moon and lunar light seemed to bath the earth. When Jesus is dying on the cross, the evangelist Luke remarks: “darkness came over the whole land and the sun’s light failed.” Both the brightness of the moon and the eclipse of the sun catch our attention. We enter into a heightened state of consciousness.
Jesus dies on a cross only a few feet off the ground. He is able to rest his body on a “saddle” that prevents the nails fastened to the upper beam from tearing from his wrists. There are two thieves crucified next to him. One taunts Jesus: “If you are the Christ save yourself and us.” The other criminal admits his guilt, acknowledges the innocence of Jesus and makes a last request: “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus readily responds: “Amen. I say to you today you will be with me in paradise.” “Paradise” is a Persian word meaning “walled garden.” It was a special honor to be invited by the king and walk with him in the royal garden. What a beautiful metaphor: walking in the garden with Jesus!
The “good thief” sets an example or gives us a key for entering the Kingdom. It is very simple and difficult -- confess our sins and ask Jesus to remember us. It is both the disposition of our heart and manner of our life. Jesus too sets the example. He does not attempt to defend or save himself. He dies as he lived: praying, healing and forgiving; then with his last breath crying out: “Father into your hands I commend my spirit.”
On this last Sunday of the Church year, the feast of Christ the Kings, let us express our faith in hope and live that faith in love. The Jubilee Year of God's Mercy ends today but not God's mercy. God is mercy itself!