Remember Me

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! (Luke 19:38)

The jubilation of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem has passed. A demonic darkness has overshadowed the heart of the city. Any remaining voices of exaltation are drowned out by those who in one diabolical voice shout out louder for His crucifixion.

The Son of God was welcomed into the city as a King and days later is cast out of the city as a condemned criminal. He bears the crushing weight of His own Cross – our sins – on the Way of Suffering leading to Golgotha, the Place of the Skulls.

In the Company of Thieves

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” (Luke 23:39)

Even as he hung in crucifixion beside Jesus, the unrepentant thief chooses to hurl his dying breath in hopeless curses upon the One who died that he could live. His bitter obstinance blinds him to God and he refuses to see himself as the object of the Lord’s sacrificial love and mercy.

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.” (Luke 23:40-41)

Through the Eyes of Dismas

What do we see from the cross through the eyes of Dismas, the good, repentant thief?

We see the head of Jesus pierced with the thorns of every intentional lustful thought, born through the darkness of every unguarded glance, in the mind of every human being since the fall of man.

We see the mouth of Jesus so grossly disfigured by every blasphemy, every insult, every negative criticism, every degrading and condescending word, every lie, every fearful or defiant denial, every unspoken defense of Truth, and every incidental and habitual profanation of His Father’s name.

We see the spotless Lamb of God scourged beyond recognition for every sin of the flesh committed in contradiction to God’s plan of love between one man and one woman in Holy Matrimony.

We see Life Himself crucified in expiation for every life deprived of birth (abortion), the dignity of natural death (euthanasia), and taken in acts of murder and unjust war.

We see God who has taken upon Himself the venial and mortal sin of every man, woman, and child who has lived, is living, and will live until the end of time.

With grace, we see our wretchedness and our Redemption.

We See Hope

In that most privileged place at the foot of the Cross of Christ, we see Mary, our Mother of Mercy who, though her heart was pierced by a mystical sword, lovingly consented to the immolation of her Son in reparation for our sins and the sins of the whole world.

Looking once more in the eyes of Jesus and to His outstretched arms, we see the unconditional love He has to offer to those who betray, deny, reject, and abandon Him.

We see the source of our salvation.

In humility, we acknowledge and confess our sin. We embrace our cross. We turn to Jesus in true repentance. We surrender our life to Jesus and His cross and unfathomable mercy – our only hope.

Remember Me

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.” (Luke 23:39-43)

In our sojourn on earth and at the hour of our death, we would do well to imitate Dismas, the good, repentant thief, and follow him to heaven by way of the Cross through Christ crucified.

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us and on the whole world.

St. Dismas, pray for us!

© 2023 Brian Kravec

Brian is a cradle Catholic, husband and father. He’s a writer, speaker, and the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Possibility Productions, a 501(c)(3) faith event evangelization apostolate in service of the Body of Christ.