The so-called thief on the cross is called a criminal in Luke’s Gospel. Other gospels use a word for rebels, violent insurrectionists. In Luke, he is a κακοῦργος - evil-doer, malefactor.
One of these criminals mocks Jesus. The other, whom tradition names Dismas, has been observing Jesus. It has changed him.
Read MoreIt’s disturbing to discover everything is rigged. Naïve, you thought physicians and teachers and media and politicians and pastors told the truth. One day you realize so much is a lie.
This isn’t a new problem. “All men are liars,” the Bible says….
Read MoreWhat He did not assume, He did not redeem. This was said about the necessity of Christ taking on our human nature. But perhaps we could even suggest it about the experience of sorrow, fear, dread. “He must thus also undertake the grief in order to overcome the sorrow and not exclude it” [Ambrose]. The Lord Jesus experiences all of our difficulties and troubles. And in all of it, He teaches us also how to bear up in the hour of trial: “Not My will, but Yours, be done.”
At this time, such a notion is incomprehensible to the disciples. So when the soldiers come, they think this is the long-awaited moment when the war for liberation begins….
Read MoreWhat did Satan find in Judas? While Satan asks for Peter, to test him, Satan is not able to enter him. Nor the other disciples, despite their weaknesses. But “Satan entered Judas.” Something is found in Judas that creates an opening.
It may have been greed. We know he loved money, and would steal from their treasury.
Might Satan find an opening in you? …
Read More