11th Scriptural Station of the Cross

Jesus Promises His Kingdom to the Good Thief (Luke 23: 39-43)

Prepare your setting. Take a few deep breaths and exhale slowly.

Begin with the Sign of the Cross. Then: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Invite Jesus to visit with you. Tell Him of any concerns that are on your mind.

“Read” the image. Look from top to bottom, left and right. Look over it a second or third time. What strikes you? What is happening? What objects and symbols do you notice? Ponder the messages. I’ll share my thoughts [in brackets], but your thoughts are what matter.

[What strikes me about this image is the weather, the dark clouds in the middle of the afternoon, and the fact that one thief is looking away from Jesus but the other (the “good’ one) is looking right at HIm.

I guess it would be easy to rationalize why this is so for the “bad” thief. Maybe he wasn’t brought up with the Scriptures. Maybe he had no direction in his life and stealing was all he knew. Maybe he figured everyone was guilty because the laws were unfair anyway. Maybe he didn’t know that He should look for God. I don’t know.

On the other hand, wouldn’t he have heard of Jesus–and of Scriptures with the Temple right there? In that case, he just didn’t want to follow God. But why am I arguing that with myself? I’m not the judge. Because I think, “Geez, he’s right up there in Jesus’ face and still doesn’t take an interest?” Wouldn’t Jesus’ goodness give out some vibe to him? Wait. Hasn’t God’s goodness–my health, my mobility, my ability to think and reason and hear and swallow, my family, my education, my safety, my friendships…. been “in my face” every day of my life? Yet I well remember days when I acted like God was not real. And I had heard about Jesus everyday from my parents, school and church.

Actually, I think I ignore Him even now. I don’t understand the mystery of the essence of Jesus’ body, blood, soul and divinity being in the host that is housed in the Tabernacle at church; but I believe it is so. Sometime in my adult life “the theory” became so true to me that I feel deep inside that it is true. So Jesus is always just a few blocks from me everyday but I don’t go to church daily to visit Him. I can’t judge the bad thief. I guess I just want to understand him being so close to Jesus and not being transformed by Him.

The good thief, though, knows Jesus is innocent and asks forgiveness. I think everyone gets goosebumps when they hear, “Lord, please remember me when You get into the Kingdom” and Jesus says, “This day you will be with Me in Paradise.” Wow.

This picture also depicts the moment when Jesus says He’s thirsty and the soldier puts a sponge on a stick and soaks it with vinegar (one Gospel says hyssop, which is like a minty flavor) and offers it.

I never saw a picture of the crucifixion with people–supporters, I suppose–standing around the cross of the bad thief. How interesting. Even though Jesus tells the “good” thief he will be with Him in paradise today, the bad thief isn’t worthless. God doesn’t make junk. Some people love love the “bad” thief. They loved him instinctlvely or at least cared that a fellow human could be treated so inhumanely.

It’s not up to me to judge it or know it. It’s up to me to be like the good thief and recognize people who are innocent and be with them. And to remember that Jesus died for the benefit of the both thieves as well as for me.

The painting is dark and that makes sense. It’s the darkest moment of human history. The bright red garment of one of the disciples, certainly John the Apostle, is symbolic of Jesus’ tremendous love for us, and the tremendous sacrifice He made.

Meditate. Talk to God about the image, how you feel and why. Wrestle with Him about your questions until you have nothing else to say.

Pray. Lord Jesus, grant us perseverance that we may never stop seeking you.

Contemplate. Relax. Enjoy God’s presence. Let Him speak through your senses, thoughts, imagination.

Write something to keep in your heart until your next prayer session. [What will it take? What will it take for me to see Jesus everyday and ask Him to remember me?]

Thank Jesus for visiting with you. End with the Sign of the Cross. Amen.

Thank you for joining us for this meditation. This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday. I look forward to praying with you during Holy Week.