Prof. A. MONERA is our Professor. He guides us in the seminar course that we have to participate in the class. We are divided into groups of two or three student and make our own research on the selected topics. At the Final Exam.
22/2/10 Introduction to Biblical Interpretation
26/2/10 The Growth and Development of New Testament
1,3/3/10 The Synoptic Problem
5,8/3/10 The Gospel According to Mark
10,12/3/10 The Gospel According to Matthew
15,17/3/10 The Gospel According to Luke
19/3/10 Parables and Miracles of Jesus
22/3/10 The Kingdom of God message of Jesus
We have a presentation on the homily on the Seven last words of Jesus. I got the second word which is “Truly, I tell you today you will be with me in paradise” (Lk 23:43)
My dear brothers, as we are preparing ourselves for the celebration of the Holy Week. It is good that we have a great opportunity to come together and have a reflection on the seven last words of Jesus on the cross. And we are now coming to the second word which I would like to read the gospel for you
Luke 23:35-43 35 And the people stood by, watching; but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!" 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him vinegar, 37 and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" 38 There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews." 39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." 42 And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43 And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
How wonderful it is when Jesus says to the thief “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” What do these words mean to us? Well, I would like to begin with the formula “Truly, I say to you” as in Greek “Amen, legw soi” this formula has a significant meaning. It implies to us that the following statement after this will be very very important. And indeed it is very important because the one who say is not just simply a human. Because it is the word from God and the one who says it is Jesus. What dose Jesus say? He says “Today, you will be with me in Paradise” What would you feel if Jesus is saying these things to you?
Let us move back a little bit to the context that why did Jesus reply like that? And what did the man ask for? He asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus entered already into his Kingdom. Absolutely, this man recognized Jesus as a king who will soon be entering into his kingdom. It could be also that this thief man realized the identity of Jesus from the written plate which was put upon the cross. It was written that “This is Jesus of Nazareth, King of Jews”. The point is not about when did he recognize but rather “How” did he react when he knew that Jesus Christ is the one who can save him, because this man is going to die.
This man might have in his own idea that “Some day in the future, Jesus will save him” but let us listen carefully to the words Jesus replied to him. “Truly, I say to you, Today you will be with me in Paradise”. You notice that I stress on the word “Today” because it is very important that the salvation Jesus brought to this man is not someday in the future, but it is a present salvation. It is happening now. Therefore the work of Jesus on the cross has immediately effected on this man, when he proclaimed that he is a sinner and really need the help of Jesus.
What we have heard from the Gospel that Jesus and this man will be together in Paradise. This man was in the sight of others as a criminal one who deserved to be punished. But he was forgiven by Jesus. Moreover he was given a hope that he is able to gain salvation through Jesus Christ.
I would like you to pay attention on the word “paradise” or in Greek “paradeisos” which is used in the Septuagint as a translation of garden in the book of Genesis. The paradise or the garden of Eden was once where God and human walked together. But because of the sins that separate us from God. It somehow likes an abyss, a chasm between God and us. And what we have here is that the abyss which was the result of disobedience by Adam was definitely destroyed by the obedience of Jesus, the new Adam. Therefore through him, with him and in him, we are able to be union with God again in the Paradise.
My dear friends what are the lessons for us from this gospel? First of all, an example of this thief man should be a model for us. We need to be honest and humility in admitting that we really need to be saved. Because we can’t save ourselves but we need Jesus to save us. The prayer of this man should be also our prayer, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”
Secondly, we need to repent and turn back to God asking for grace. So that we will be strong in our faith and be courage to proclaim, like this man, that Jesus Christ is Lord, Messiah and King. Have you ever turn to Jesus and ask him to save you? The salvation, Jesus brought to you is wholly by grace, it is certain and secure and yet, it is personal; it can be yours right here right now. What you have to do is to turn to him, repent of your sins and receive the gift by faith. Let us prepare ourselves by having a good confession and receiving a good communion, so that we will be strong enough to carry our own crass a walk with Jesus to his eternal Kingdom.
May God bless you all.
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