Gospel – Luke 23:35-43
The rulers sneered at Jesus and said,
“He saved others, let him save himself
if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.”
Even the soldiers jeered at him.
As they approached to offer him wine they called out,
“If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.”
Above him there was an inscription that read,
“This is the King of the Jews.”
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,
“Are you not the Christ?
Save yourself and us.”
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,
“Have you no fear of God,
for you are subject to the same condemnation?
And indeed, we have been condemned justly,
for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing criminal.”
Then he said,
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
He replied to him,
“Amen, I say to you,
today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Reflection on the Gospel
Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.
The criminal taunts Jesus: “Save yourself and us.”
The gift of himself in his life, death, resurrection, and the sending of the Spirit is the way that Jesus was saving the criminals and us.
It’s not as obvious a salvation that the criminal would want.
Do I have an understanding of the salvation the King of the universe gained for me?
Do I live as if I have been redeemed?
Saint John Baptist de La Salle – Pray for us.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts – Forever.