Being Remembered by Christ
theophilus November 25th, 2007
The life mission of us all can be summed up in today’s gospel (Luke 23:35-43) by the condemned man being crucified next to Christ – “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom,” he said. And it’s Christ’s response that should be what we long to hear - “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
And how do we join Christ in paradise? Ultimately, it’s by believing in Christ – having faith in him. That is what the condemned man did.
But if we truly believe, we will lead a life that shows that faith. And we’re told how to live this life throughout the gospels, through the lives and writings of the saints, and through the Catechism. It’s by being the best servant we can be - by serving Christ and our fellow man each and every day.
So, why does it seem so difficult sometimes? Afterall, we’re given the ten commandments, two great commandments, seven capital sins, eight beatitudes, three theological virtues, four cardinal virtues, seven spiritual works of mercy, seven corporal works of mercy, seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, and twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit. These precepts are a guide to tell us what we should be doing and not doing – what we should be trying to achieve and trying to avoid – and how we should serve. In a sense, Christ and the Church have given us a “Paradise for Dummies.”
Yet, how many of us know even a handful of these precepts (and knowing the 10 Commandments really shouldn’t count)? Some of us can cite the on-base percentage of Barry Bonds in 2004 and the touchdown-to-interception ratio of Peyton Manning in 2006, but how many us know the seven corporal works of mercy? (For the record, they are to feed the hungry, to give drink to the thirsty, to clothe the naked, to shelter the homeless, to visit the sick, to visit the imprisoned, and to bury the dead.)
If we truly sat down each and every night and did a good examination of conscience, we would reflect on the two Great Commandments (to love God and our neighbor), the seven capital sins (Envy, Sloth, Anger, Gluttony, Pride, Lust and Greed), the seven spiritual works of mercy (to counsel the doubtful, to instruct the ignorant, to admonish the sinner, to comfort the sorrowful, to forgive all injuries, to bear wrongs patiently, to pray for the living and the dead), and the seven corporal works of mercy – and take a quick assessment on how we did that day.
Add in an honest reflection of how we did as a father, husband, friend and at work, and it doesn’t take much for us to realize whether we are on our way to paradise or whether we have lost sight of the path.
I guess it would help if we spent more time contemplating the spiritual guideposts given to us. If all of us did so, our lives would be better – and ultimately, we would all be making the right choices for our lives and those lives we influence.
Today is the Feast of Christ the King. Let us show our faith by acknowledging Christ as our King and our Lord – and serve him and our fellow man well. Let us look at the guidebook given to us and set our way on the path to Paradise.
If the condemned man can get there, so can we.
