Stations of the Cross – 11th Station
11th Station – Jesus forgives the penitent thief
We adore you O Christ and we praise you.
Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.
One of the criminals hanging there abused him: ‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as well.’ But the other spoke up and rebuked him. ‘Have you no fear of God at all?’ he said. ‘You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He answered him, ‘In truth I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’
Reflection
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Words from the heart of a repentant sinner as he is crucified. The artist depicts the Second Thief as turning his back on Jesus, accepting that it may be too late to turn back. But it is never too late. At the last moment the forgiving, healing Jesus reaches out to us and says, “I forgive you, be healed”. The word ‘re-member’ reminds us that we are broken and dismembered in so many ways. We need to be put back together. And Jesus in response to the plea of the repentant thief says, “This day you will be with me in Paradise”. Lord forgive my sins and have mercy on me as you did on the repentant thief.
Lord Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, help us to follow you faithfully.
