Eleventh Station, Jesus promises his Kingdom to the Good Thief, Way of the Cross 2008

Way of the Cross - 20th Century
Society of the Divine Word Generalate Archives - Rome

ELEVENTH STATION
Jesus promises his Kingdom to the Good Thief

V/. Adoramus te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi.
R/. Quia per sanctam crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

From the Gospel according to Luke 23: 33, 42-43

And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified Jesus, and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. One of the criminals said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom". And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise".

MEDITATION

He was an evil-doer. He represents all evil-doers, that is to say, all of us. He had the good fortune to be close to Jesus in suffering, but all of us have this good fortune. Like him, let us say: "Lord, remember us when you come into your kingdom". We will receive the same reply.

And what of those who do not have the good fortune to be close to Jesus? Jesus is close to them, to each and every one.

"Jesus, remember us": let us speak these words to him for ourselves, for our friends, for our enemies and for the persecutors of our friends. The salvation of all people is the Lord's true victory.

PRAYER

Jesus, remember me when, conscious of my unfaithfulness, I am tempted to despair.

Jesus, remember me when, after repeated efforts, I once more find myself deep in the valley of darkness.

Jesus, remember me when everyone is weary of me and no one trusts me anymore, and I find myself alone and abandoned.

All:

Pater noster, qui es in cælis:
sanctificetur nomen tuum;
adveniat regnum tuum;
fiat voluntas tua, sicut in cælo, et in terra.
Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie;
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris;
et ne nos inducas in tentationem;
sed libera nos a malo.

Sancta mater, istud agas,
Crucifixi fige plagas
cordi meo valide.