How the reign of God can be known (Julia Walsh)

   The criminal who gets to join Jesus in paradise models this for us all. 

   Unique to Luke’s Gospel, in this criminal we meet a man who is unexpectedly humble and names the truth. He understands that he’s united with Jesus, subject to the same condemnation. He knows he is powerless but Christ is at his side. He encourages another to fear God, to have awe and respect. He understands the limits of his humanity. 

    The criminal next to Christ shows us how the reign of God can be known and experienced if our gaze is totally on Christ, on the power of God--and not on one’s self. 

   From a cross, the criminal gained a new perspective and was able to see the truth. He was free to be authentic, to see the big picture, to know the love of God. 

   Following the criminal’s example, let us also see the kingdom of God around us and live like the saints we were made to be! 

--Julia Walsh, FSPA 

Image source: Titian, Christ and the Good Thief (c.1566), https://www.wikiart.org/en/titian/christ-and-the-good-thief 
Quotation source