A sermon on Luke 23:35-43

By Fr. Mike Paraniuk
HCP columnist

It feels so good to be remembered. I returned to Cincinnati Children's Hospital to minister to sick children after I retired from serving as a Pastor in July. I had previously worked there from 1984-2011. 

Fourteen years had gone by, yet parents and hospital staff still remembered me. I was gratified they were happy to have me there once again. The hospital complex has many more buildings that did not exist when I first walked through their doors. But the devotion of parents to their sick children never changes. 

My job is to comfort those worried parents by offering prayer, strengthening their faith and restoring hope. I call them to remember God is with them on their journey to healing. I call them to remember a sick child is so special to God. 

Jesus said, "Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14.) Sickness will never stop Jesus from loving them from the depth of his heart. I urge them to keep believing this when healing seems so far away. 

The words "to remember" is more than just calling to mind facts. When God "remembers" or is asked to remember, He acts with deliverance from sickness, with Mercy to the sinner and with His Love that saves. Expect God to act powerfully when you ask Him to remember you. 

Look at what happened with the Good Thief.

The story of the Good Thief amazes me. It amazes me he had faith in Jesus though he never saw Jesus work healing miracles or raise Lazarus from the dead or teach how God forgives sinners. 

The thief missed all the signs that showed the kingship of Jesus. But he could see beyond the crown of thorns a crown of kingship. The Apostles witnessed all the things that screamed out "Jesus is the Messiah." Yet, Judas betrayed Jesus, Peter denied knowing Jesus, and the others ran away. 

Then the Good Thief, filled with faith in his heart, proclaims the magic word, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42.) 

The thief was not asking Jesus to remember his name or even that he existed. He made a simple prayer for Jesus to make a place for him in His Kingdom. The thief made this request knowing he didn't deserve what he was asking. He felt so guilty he didn't even ask for forgiveness. 

Jesus lifted His bloody face to look at him with Love. With the little breath He had left, Jesus whispered "This day you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43.) What a day this thief had. Spent the morning in prison. Went to the cross in the afternoon. Admitted to Heaven by evening. And how was your day?

Jesus gives His life of Love and Mercy when He remembers you. Jesus commands you to give Him your life when you remember Him. "And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19.) 

Jesus wants you to remember all that He taught and live it. When you remember Jesus in Holy Communion, He commands you to act like Him. With every Communion, I say this simple prayer, "Jesus, help me to act more like you. Give me the strength to do this."

During his First Communion, a little boy took the bread, chewed thoughtfully, and whispered to the priest, “Can I have seconds? That was really good!” The priest smiled and said, “This isn’t a buffet, my child – but I’m glad you’re hungry for the Lord.” 

Matthew 5:6 says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." The thief became good because he hungered to be right with God. 

How hungry are you? Blessings...Fr. Mike.