| Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,
"Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us."
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,
"Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation?
And indeed, we have been condemned justly,
for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing wrong."
Then he said,
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
He replied to him,
"Amen, I say to you,
today you will be with me in Paradise."
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When I was serving as pastor in a rural parish at the edge of Green Bay, we decided to incorporate farm animals into the worship environment - just as Jesus had used such agricultural images to teach the Gospel.
On Palm Sunday it was a donkey, "Joe",
leading us in procession from the parish hall across the playground to the
porch of the church.
Inevitably folks would ask if I would be riding the beast;
"No that would be Jesus’ place." was my reply; "I’m just the escort".
And then they would conclude -
"Well how about that: A 4-legged jackass leading the Church!"
Beyond the procession in ancient Jerusalem on this Palm Sunday centuries
ago, and its being dramatized across the world today, Palm Sunday, 2010,
Jesus’ last words direct our attention to another procession -
that long line, a parade of believers
who have cast their lot with Jesus Christ, for earth and for Heaven.
And the unlikely "first one" leading that vast crowd
who have followed Jesus through death’s moment in the hope of glory – not His Blessed Mother, Mary,
not St. Joseph,
not one of the apostles or other saints.
not even Saint Norbert for gosh sakes! No.
Leading the Church, following Jesus first into Heaven’s glory
is a capital criminal, executed for heinous crimes -
the "good thief", "Dismas", his name, according to tradition.
Even more surprising to us – more unlikely than a jackass leading a church procession –
that this ‘good thief" can provide here and now,
inspiring example to us, still on the way.
But consider -
- He turns to Jesus - in public
- He admits honestly - and also in public - his own sin and accepts responsibility for it
- He also confesses a belief in the power of Divine Mercy – undeserved, unearned but available to Him in Christ
- He humbly asks this mercy be His in the smallest portion -
just a memory, a fragment of a thought in the Savior’s heart on the other side
- And he receives his place – Eternal Reward – first behind Jesus!!!
"This day you will be with me in Paradise!"
Imagine it!
Good Friday night
- Safely in Heaven
- Perhaps a perch plate and a cold brew, with Jesus, who helps Him catch up on Gospel truth, and soak in the power of such surprising mercy?
- Set free from his guilt and healed from shame
- In the company of the Savior, even though he claimed Him only at the very last minute!
He poses 2 challenges to us -
proper enough to be in an abbey church on a Palm Sunday afternoon:
1. Are we willing to follow such a marshal in the "Parade of Faith,"
rubbing shoulders with other shady, less than perfect characters?
With them can we acknowledge our sins,
and also our belief that Divine Mercy can resolve, forgive,
reconcile & heal them all!?
and
2. Are we able to trust that this mercy, once received, can empower us
to be merciful to those who don’t deserve it and couldn’t earn it
from us?
Can we get over grudges, accept an apology, eliminate quick
judgment, let go of an old prejudice – and find a way to walk
together on parade toward Paradise – designed by God to include us
all – all together?
Remember that Jesus’ dying breath was mercy -
to the soldiers who banged in the nails,
to Dismas who dared to believe - dared to ask.
We ask too - Jesus! Remember us when you come into your Kingdom!
And in the Heavenly experience of mercy - accepted, received and
extended to others – only in that experience - can we hope
to hear on our dying day:
"This day you will be with me (Dismas will be there too) in Paradise!"
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