Hi friends. It’s Holy Week, and I wanted to share images and reflections I wrote a few years ago for a Stations of the Cross event at church. There are 14 Stations adapted for Substack and socials, so I’ll be sending out more emails than usual this week. Feel free to read what you like and skip what you need to, or read them all next Friday. Regardless of how you go about it, I invite you to reflect on the image, Scripture passage, and meditation/reflection question in each email.
Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43
Our modern and western Christian ideas about how one receives salvation through Christ seem formulaic and stiff compared to the Gospel accounts of salvation. The thief hanging on the cross next to Jesus (who is now with Jesus in paradise) did not pray a sinner’s prayer, respond to an altar call, or “invite Jesus into his heart.” Instead, in an hour of agony, he recognized his guilt, recognized Jesus’ innocence and Lordship, and made a desperate plea for mercy through labored breathing: “Lord, remember me!”
Reflection: Have you distanced yourself from God because of choices you have made? If so, you don’t need a special church service or special words to come close to God. Instead, quiet yourself for a moment, even if you are feeling desperate. Know that God is a God who forgives and gladly welcomes you.
Suggested Prayer: Lord, I may not deserve it, but remember me like you remembered the thief on the cross. And help me, too, to extend radical mercy to those I think may least deserve it.