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Preparation
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
ruler and judge of all,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
In the darkness of this age that is passing away
may the light of your presence which the saints enjoy
surround our steps as we journey on.
May we reflect your glory this day
and so be made ready to see your face
in the heavenly city where night shall be no more.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
Luke 23.33-43
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. Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 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!’ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’
Reflection
Since our celebration of All Saints’ Day we have been journeying through the Kingdom Season, the final few weeks that lead to the beginning of the new liturgical year on Advent Sunday. Since All Saints’ Day we have seen, reflected upon and walked with Jesus on the final stages of his earthly pilgrimage. Today we are confronted with the reality of the end of our King’s journey … his humiliating execution on a cross.
Today’s reading contain two of Jesus’ ‘Seven Last Words from the Cross’: Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing, and: Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise. Interleaved between these two powerful statements we see so much that is negative about human nature: the greed and ruthlessness of the soldiers casting lots; the scoffing of the leaders; the mocking of the executioners; the derision of a fellow condemned criminal. This scene presents us with a powerful image of all that is wrong in our human nature. But, despite all this evil, there is a ray of hope … the second criminal recognizes the Kingship of Jesus, and says: Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. The second criminal demonstrates the power of faith and hope.
Our reflection today should focus on the faith and hope of that anonymous second criminal. But … we also need to ponder on Jesus’ words, the words of a dying, innocent man who was also the Son of God. Despite the greed, the ruthlessness, the scoffing, the mocking and the cruelty, Jesus hung on the cross and asked that those around him, and all of humanity, might know God’s forgiveness. Then Jesus promises so much more … Jesus promises the joy of eternal life in God’s nearer presence: paradise.
Of course, in the context of today’s reading, the power of the resurrection is yet to be revealed but, for the faithful, the promise of Jesus’ powerful words are, and always will be, a reality. Throughout recent days we have read of those who failed to have faith, of those who sought to create their own ‘divine reality’. Today the eternal truth of the divine and loving Kingship of Christ is made plain for all to see. Let us pray that no matter how fiercely the storm of human evil might rage around us, we might hold true to the faith that will lead us into the paradise promised by Christ alone.
Prayers
In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father.
Let us praise Christ our King, by whose cross we have citizenship in heaven, saying: all your saints praise you.
Lord, you built your Church on the foundation of the apostles:
all your saints praise you.
You witness to your truth in the lives of your saints:
all your saints praise you.
You made us to be a kingdom and priests serving our God:
all your saints praise you.
You have shared our burdens,
revealing the holiness of our life and work:
all your saints praise you.
You stir us to seek the mysteries of the kingdom:
all your saints praise you.
You lead us to the eternal assembly of the saints:
all your saints praise you.
God of holiness,
your glory is proclaimed in every age:
as we rejoice in the faith of your saints,
inspire us to follow their example
with boldness and joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Uniting our prayers with the whole company of heaven,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Christ our King make us faithful and strong to do his will,
that we may reign with him in glory;
and may the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.