Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” 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.” 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.” (Lk 22:14-23:56)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041325.cfm
There is a marvelous film called, Of Gods and Men (2010) which tells the story of the Trappist monks who were martyred in Algeria in 1996. The abbot writes a thank-you letter to the terrorist who would murder him: “Yes, to you as well I address this thank you and this goodbye. May we meet again, happy thieves in Paradise, if it pleases God the Father of us both. Amen. Insha'Allah.” The video is the last supper scene that these monks would share together. The seven monks were beatified in 2018.
https://youtu.be/rrYLJzA1eNs
These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
