Luke 23:33-43
33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing.
35 And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Jesus, Remember Me
Today's Gospel invites us to sit down in front of a crucifix and reflect on the scene as described in the text. A large crowd, incited by their chief priest and his colleagues shout, "Crucify him, crucify him! He deserves to die because He blasphemes by claiming to be the Son of God."
A Roman governor, who has the authority to ratify the sentence, demands a legal justification that's acceptable to the Roman bylaws for carrying out the order. Pilate found a reason to carry out the sentence of the Sanhedrin by calling Jesus "King of the Jews."
For the Jews, claiming to be the Son of God is blasphemy that justifies the sentence of death. For the Romans, claiming to be king contradicts Caesar's sovereignty and exclusive authority, and justifies the sentence of death. Both the Jewish and the Roman authorities agree that Jesus deserves the worst manner of execution by crucifixion.
At the height of His unjust sufferings, Jesus prays, asking the Father to forgive them, justifying His request by saying that they do not know what they are doing and whom they are doing it to (V. 34).
Two criminals obviously known to each other that worked together are crucified with Him. One criminal mocks Jesus and challenges Him to see if He can save Himself and save them too. The other one rebukes his accomplice in the crime, and confesses that both of them deserve their condemnation while Jesus is innocent. This criminal calls Jesus by His first name asking Him, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" "Today, you will be with me in paradise" responds the Lord (VV. 39-43).
May we reflect more seriously about forgiveness as we pray, "Our Father, forgive us as we forgive" (Luke 11:4). Do we? May we attribute the offenses of others against us to their lack of knowledge of what they are doing, following the example of Jesus.
May we have the honesty and the courage of the criminal who confesses his crime and deserves the most heinous punishment, and turn to Jesus in His name, asking for forgiveness.
Let us remember and pray for all those who have judicial authority to issue just and well-informed judgements, and pray for those unjustly condemned. Lord, forgive them, and help them know what they are doing.