I hadn't given a lot of thought to Saint Dismas, the patron saint of thieves and criminals (among many others), before today's homily. The "good thief" in today's Gospel reading goes against many of our expectations when it comes to God as the stern judge, the giver of law, and the ultimate retribution. In short, St. Dismas shows that even a flawed person such as myself is forever loved unconditionally by God.
Jesus was crucified between two thieves. One (traditionally known as Gestas) scorned and mocked Jesus, but I feel that it was a way for him to hide his fear. I believe that he even secretly hoped that Jesus could save all of them from their horrific death. Still, the other thief (St. Dismas) chastised his fellow thief and then requested, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingly power.”
The importance of what follows next in this scene is as much what Jesus doesn't say as what He does say. Jesus doesn't ask Dismas if he's been baptized. He doesn't tell Dismas that he needs to be born again. He doesn't ask for Dismas' denomination or if he has gone to confession. He doesn't ask how often Dismas has gone to temple. He doesn't say, "Well, you've already admitted to being a criminal, so obviously you're going to need some time in Purgatory."
No. How does Jesus answer this condemned criminal? “Truly I say to you,” Jesus replies, “today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
"Today."
The rituals and conditions that our religions give us are for our own comfort and preparation. Don't get me wrong, I value and support the mass, sacraments, and traditions of my Catholic faith; however, they were given to me by God to help me live a better life, not due to some contractual obligation that I have to fulfill before being admitted to heaven. That's not who God is; God is love, unconditional limitless love. St. Dismas is proof of that.
Jesus was crucified between two thieves. One (traditionally known as Gestas) scorned and mocked Jesus, but I feel that it was a way for him to hide his fear. I believe that he even secretly hoped that Jesus could save all of them from their horrific death. Still, the other thief (St. Dismas) chastised his fellow thief and then requested, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingly power.”
The importance of what follows next in this scene is as much what Jesus doesn't say as what He does say. Jesus doesn't ask Dismas if he's been baptized. He doesn't tell Dismas that he needs to be born again. He doesn't ask for Dismas' denomination or if he has gone to confession. He doesn't ask how often Dismas has gone to temple. He doesn't say, "Well, you've already admitted to being a criminal, so obviously you're going to need some time in Purgatory."
No. How does Jesus answer this condemned criminal? “Truly I say to you,” Jesus replies, “today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
"Today."
The rituals and conditions that our religions give us are for our own comfort and preparation. Don't get me wrong, I value and support the mass, sacraments, and traditions of my Catholic faith; however, they were given to me by God to help me live a better life, not due to some contractual obligation that I have to fulfill before being admitted to heaven. That's not who God is; God is love, unconditional limitless love. St. Dismas is proof of that.
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