Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today marks the end of the liturgical year and the celebration of Christ the King. The gospel does not look very kingly at first glance even though the sign on the cross says, “This is the King of the Jews.” He is the only true king and his throne is the cross. Ironically, what they wrote in jest is really true.
There are two thieves with Jesus who are also condemned to death and their reaction to their situation could not be more different. This is a method that we have seen Luke use in several of the gospels the past few weeks. Ten lepers were healed and only one returned. Two people praying in the temple and the religious one is thanking God that he is not like the rest of men; the pagan was beating his breast saying. “Be merciful to me, O Lord.” He was the one who went home justified, not the religious guy.
All the gospels record that others were crucified with Jesus that day. These two thieves must have been serious criminals since most thieves were sold into slavery and became cheap labor for the Romans. We can only guess that these two men must have been very violent to be executed in this way, which was very labor intensive, not an easy thing to do.
The “bad thief” joins Christ’s persecutors in a cynical attitude saying that his kingdom is absurd. He is very brazen, proud, lacking any remorse for what he has done. There is no trust in God and no charity for his neighbors.
The good thief is completely different; he is humble, contrite, trusting in God and kind to his neighbors. He is the only one who defends Jesus. And he makes a beautiful prayer: Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom. And according to the original Greek, he said it many times over. It is a prayer that you and I can say also. A thief or a murderer is the first man in heaven. With this prayer he implies that Christ is a king since he enters his kingdom. Only he and Mary and the apostle John understand what is going on this day. It looks like a failure, a defeat, and utter chaos; however, God’s plan is unfolding. This guy gets it and is not afraid to say it. He makes an act of faith in Jesus and God repays him a hundred times over.
You and I are like the good thief in some ways. We are fallen and failed people who sense our guilt and hopefully are contrite and regretful. No matter what efforts you make you cannot save yourself; it is not possible. The cross shows you that you are saved in Christ. He does something that you are not able to do: he gives himself totally to the Father.
One time a year on Stewardship Sunday, I speak of supporting our parish. I must say that we are in very good financial shape. And we very much need your support for ongoing operations and maintenance, repairs and improvements, staff and many other things.
Today I am asking you to give or to consider giving sacrificially, intentionally, not just what’s in your pocket. Who does Jesus commend in the gospel: the rich people who put a lot into the temple, or the widow who put in two copper coins? It is the latter since she gave all she had; the others were giving from their excess. They put in a large amount and yet Jesus commends the widow, not them. It is the sacrifice you make that is important. God sees it.
Don’t give because the parish is in need or because the music program is fantastic or because many are served from our food pantry or because those in Haiti benefit from what we send or the homeless or those with AIDS. Give because you need to give; you need to put God first; to make a sign that money and possessions are not the number one thing in your life. Giving is the most important thing you can do to increase your relationship with Jesus Christ. Build treasure in heaven; do it without expecting anything back.
I do not believe there is anyone here who is not generous; however, I sense there are many who do not have a plan. The card in the pews gives you a plan. Fill it out today or bring it back next week. Don’t be a slave to your money and your possessions; be a king over them. You are a steward of them and God gives them to you for a reason. Serve him with the time and resources he has given you.
