The Good Thief: Remembering the Need for God's Mercy

Shortly after arriving into Jerusalem, our class was able to celebrate Mass at the foot of Calvary in the Holy Sepluchre.  It's is a surreal experience to be able to go to the spot, where Christ was crucified marked by three distinct holes in the rock where the crosses were locked into place.  Just to the right of the spot, there was the altar in which we celebrated Mass.  

I couldn't help to be drawn of the good thief on the cross found in the Gospel of Luke: 

[Rebuking the other criminal on the other side of Christ] "We indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.  Jesus remember me when you come in your kingly power.  And Jesus said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23: 41-43)

It was there that the thief admitted his guilt and asked the Lord for mercy.  Today, there were 33 seminarians, priests and faculty at the foot of the cross asking for the same thing at Mass; "remember me Lord!"

It was told to me (and as I get older I completely agree) when you were young you seek justice; but when you are older, you seek mercy.  It's no coincidence that kids have an uncanny ability to tell the adults what is fair and unfair.  They are quick to point the many injustices like Suzy having more ice cream than me, which is clearly not just. Or Johnny's parents allow him to stay up later.  Sometimes in our foolishness we seek justice as adults, many times it looks silly.  As we progress in age, and in my case less hair on my head, we are consistantly humbled by our failures usually followed by empty resolutions. It is clear, the false idea of being invincible and able to do anything in our youth, comes to a hault when we realize we are mortal and filled with weaknesses.  The need for God's mercy pervades our bones.  And I once again am brought to the Mass at the foot of Calvary.  I find myself like the thief, recalling my need for His constant mercy.  

Lord remember me when you come into your Kingdom!

St. Dismiss, the criminal who stole heaven, Pray for us!