A Beacon Of Light… Today You Will Be With Me In Paradise

By FR. RICHARD D. BRETON Jr.

(Fr. Richard D. Breton is a priest of the Diocese of Norwich, Conn.)

• + + Today we continue our reflection of Jesus’ final moments on the cross and the dialogue He had with us all. We focus on the “second words” spoken by Jesus on the cross. These are recorded in the Gospel of Luke 23:43, where He says, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” This statement has such significance for us in our lives for several reasons.
  First, it reveals Jesus’ compassion and mercy. Despite the excruciating pain and suffering He was enduring; Jesus still took the time to show love and forgiveness to a criminal who was being executed alongside Him. This demonstrates the depth of Jesus’ love and His willingness to extend mercy to anyone who seeks it.
  Second, this interaction highlights the power of repentance. The criminal recognized his wrongdoing and asked Jesus to remember him when He entered His Kingdom. Jesus’ response shows that even in the midst of despair and darkness, there is still hope for redemption and salvation. Even in the darkness of today’s world, God’s loving presence affords us the hope we need to persevere in the journey of faith.
  Third, this exchange emphasizes the reality of an afterlife, or as we believe, the Resurrection. Jesus’ promise to the criminal that he would be with Him in Paradise affirms our belief in life after death and provides comfort to those who are facing the end of their earthly life. It reminds us that death is not final. For those who believe, our earthly life merely changes, and eternal life begins.
  Lastly, it shows that the Kingdom of God is accessible to us all if we desire it. Jesus’ promise to the criminal suggests that there are no barriers into the Kingdom of God, regardless of one’s past sins or current circumstances. One’s admittance into Heaven is freely attainable if the desire is there.
  Overall, the Second Words spoken by Jesus on the cross offer hope, forgiveness, and reassurance to believers, and they continue to hold significant theological and spiritual importance in Christian tradition even today.

Dismas And The Power Of Faith

St. Dismas, also known as the “Good Thief,” holds great importance in Christian tradition. As the thief who was crucified next to Jesus, St. Dismas represents the possibility of redemption and salvation even in the darkest moments of life. His story highlights the power of faith, as he recognizes his own sinfulness and turns to Jesus for mercy.
St. Dismas also serves as an example of how God can work in unexpected ways. Despite his criminal past, he was able to recognize the truth and goodness of Jesus and ultimately received the promise of eternal life. This is what we call conversion of heart and the means through which we all have the potential to be saved. This can offer hope to those who feel they are too far gone or unworthy of God’s love and forgiveness. For God, there is no such thing as being “too far gone” because His mercy is limitless.
In addition, the story of St. Dismas emphasizes the importance of humility and contrition. He does not try to justify or excuse his actions, but instead accepts responsibility for them and seeks God’s mercy. This serves as a reminder that true repentance involves not just confessing one’s sins, but also a willingness to change and turn away from sin; to repent and return to the Gospel. Overall, the story of St. Dismas reminds us that no matter what our past may be, there is always hope for a better future through faith in God.
In another way, the words spoken by Jesus on the cross can have a profound impact on our daily lives as Christians. Here are some ways that these words can be applied in our daily lives. Jesus teaches us how to extend compassion and mercy to others. Jesus showed compassion and mercy to the criminal being crucified alongside Him, even though He was also in great pain and suffering. As Christians, we can follow Jesus’ example by extending kindness and forgiveness to those who have wronged us, even if it is difficult.
Jesus reminds us of the importance of repentance. The criminal recognized his wrongdoing and asked for Jesus’ forgiveness, and Jesus responded with a promise of salvation. As Christians, we can prioritize repentance and seek forgiveness for our own mistakes and sins, knowing that Jesus is always ready to forgive and extend grace.
These “second words” enable us to live in hope of life everlasting. Jesus promised the criminal that he would be with Him in Paradise, providing hope and comfort even in the face of death. As Catholic Christians, we can hold onto the hope of eternal life, knowing that death is not the end and that we will be reunited with loved ones in Heaven.
Lastly, this interaction between Jesus and St. Dismas, explains the accessibility of the Kingdom of God. Jesus promised the criminal that he would be with Him in Paradise, regardless of his past mistakes or current circumstances. As Christians, we can live with the understanding that the Kingdom of God is accessible to everyone, regardless of their background, social status, or past sins. The eternal Kingdom of Heaven is open to all who seek it with a pure and contrite heart.
By incorporating these principles into our daily lives, we can become more Christlike and live out the message of the Second Words spoken by Jesus on the Cross.
Are there times in our lives when we can seek out forgiveness? Yes, seeking forgiveness is an important aspect of living a healthy and fulfilling life. There may be times in our lives when we need to seek forgiveness from others, or when we need to seek forgiveness from God.
Seeking forgiveness from others can help to heal broken relationships and bring about reconciliation. It requires acknowledging the hurt we have caused and expressing genuine remorse. It may also involve taking steps to make amends and work toward restoring the relationship.
Seeking forgiveness from God is also important, as it can help us to let go of the guilt and shame that comes with our mistakes and sins. It requires acknowledging our wrongdoing and turning toward God, seeking His forgiveness and mercy. This can be done through prayer, the Sacrament of Confession, and acts of repentance. It’s important to note that seeking forgiveness is not always easy. It requires humility, vulnerability, and a willingness to take responsibility for one’s actions. However, seeking forgiveness can be a powerful and transformative experience that can lead to greater inner peace, healing, and growth.

Seek Forgiveness

In summary, seeking forgiveness is an important part of the human experience. It can help to repair broken relationships, foster personal growth, and deepen our relationship with God.
Both the “first words” and “second words” spoken by Christ on the cross are connected. If we remember the first words were a plea from Jesus to the Father asking Him to forgive the human race for their transgressions. In the “second words,” humanity, represented through the good thief, recognizes the importance for forgiveness from God and from each other. Understanding forgiveness is the hallmark of the central plan of redemption. God’s “divine forgiveness” overflows and trickles down into man’s heart enabling the beginning of conversion.
Over the coming week, take time to examine when we needed forgiveness, and the times others sought our forgiveness, and we rejected it. Forgiveness is a pivotal aspect of our salvation.
Next week we will focus on the “third words” of Jesus on the cross which are: “Woman, behold your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your Mother!” (John 19:26-27).