Fr Antonio Pineda
hrist the King. He’s certainly not the sort of king that appears in the fairy tales we grew up with: regal with a beautiful queen by his side and a majestic palace to live in. This Sunday’s Gospel describes a king hanging on a cross with two thieves, and it raises an interesting point on how we live our lives.
Which of the thieves are you? The first thief—the Selfish Thief—just wants Jesus to get him off the cross (“Do something for me!”). The second thief—the Good Thief—simply asks Jesus to remember him. Jesus’ response to the Good Thief shows us exactly what kind of King he is. A loving and forgiving one.
Maybe, the Good Thief had heard Jesus preach. Maybe he had seen him love the lowly. Maybe he had watched him eat with tax collectors and pickpockets—-or maybe not. Maybe, the only thing he knew about this “King of the Jews” was what he now saw: a beaten, slashed, nail suspended preacher. His face crimson with blood, his bones peeking through torn flesh, his lungs gasping for air.
Something, however, made him say to Jesus, “Any chance you could put in a good word for me when you go to heaven?” (my paraphrase). In response, Jesus said something along the lines of, “Consider it done.”
Now why would Jesus do that? What in the world did he have to gain by promising this lowliest of the low a place of honour at the table—in paradise? What could this guy have to offer? You might think nothing, but in fact he did have something to offer. He gave Jesus his faith and belief. He gave Jesus all he had to offer. And Jesus gladly accepted. He had said during his three-year ministry that he came to save the lost and right up to the moment of his death, he made good on that promise.
So, which thief are you? Do you want Jesus to simply relieve you of your sufferings and take you down from the cross, or do you want to give him everything you have to offer? Do you want to escape from your current predicament only to go back to your old life in this world, or do you want the King of the universe to forgive and take you with him to his eternal kingdom?
Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.