By Jeffrey A. Beer Jr. –
If you go to iTunes or YouTube and look up a song called “Thief” by the band Third Day, you will find a song that tells the story of this Sunday’s Gospel reading from the 23rd chapter of Luke. The story is a well-known one: while Jesus was hanging on the cross, two robbers were crucified on either side of him. The one of the left tried to convince Jesus to save himself and the other criminal. The other, however, scolds the first thief and takes responsibility for his crimes and his punishment. Then he asks Jesus to remember him when he enters heaven, and Christ responds saying, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” We don’t know much about the two criminals, but one thing appears clear: they were guilty of the crimes for which they were being punished. The aforementioned song depicts this story from a different perspective. In it, the “good thief” talks of his own guilt, shame and the persecution he has had to endure as a result of his crimes.
It is a little cliché, but I have always really liked the idea of these two thieves representing all of us. Certainly, we all mess up. But when we sin and our lives get difficult or painful, it is how we react that defines us as a “good thief” or “bad thief.” The thief on the right was sorry and repentant and sought Jesus’ forgiveness and mercy. The thief on the left, on the other hand, is not remorseful in the least. And rather than seek Jesus’ mercy, he mocks him and challenges him. At first, it might be easy to identify ourselves as the “good thief.” But think for a second about the bad habits we refuse to work on; the broken relationships we refuse to mend; the sins of the past we refuse to bring to confession. When we are too prideful to address these issues, we are acting as the “bad thief.” It takes true humility and true faith to admit our wrongdoings and unworthiness, and authentically seek the forgiveness of our God.
Despite the importance of this model, the take home message of this week’s Gospel story is less about us and more about the loving nature of God’s forgiveness. The “good thief” offers a model of humility and contrition for us. But when he asks Jesus to forgive him and allow him to enter heaven, Christ does not demand he make other sacrifices of repentances. He does not tell him that he is too late and has no time left to earn his way back into God’s good graces. Jesus simply comforts the criminal by telling him that in the face of a very painful death, this man will be with Jesus in heaven because of his faith. In this encounter, Jesus offers for us an incredible example of his love. There are no conditions, no protocols, no need to “earn” his forgiveness. It is a gift that is given to all those who seek it. And therein lies the real lesson of this Sunday’s Gospel reading: Christ’s love is freely given to all those who seek it.
So the question remains: which thief will you be? Will you be arrogant, stubborn and prideful? Will you refuse to admit your own mistakes and shortcomings? Or will you be like the goof thief and instead repent of your mistakes, work hard on your weaknesses, and seek the forgiveness of God that is so freely given to all who look for it. After all, if a murdered and a thief could gain entrance into heaven simply by asking, why not you or me?
