Will You Remember Me?

 

The Church year comes to an end today with Jesus calling all people to himself and welcoming them into his kingdom. David appears as the first king before whom all the tribes of Israel assemble, and he tells them that he will be their shepherd and will care for them. Jesus is the heir of King David who likewise models himself as a shepherd first. In the Gospel, we hear the story of the repentant thief who acknowledges his wrongdoing and proclaims the innocence of Jesus, and Jesus, as someone whose care is radical, includes him as one who is fit for the kingdom. I think so many of us call out to Jesus as that crucified man did: Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

 

Let us remember one thing: at the Crucifixion, Jesus forgave all sins, and that means that his kingdom is built on mercy. What does this mean for us? Jesus forgave all sins – yours, the sins of your past, the person who sinned against you, the ones you will do today, the ones you will do in the future. He asks you to know and to live in his mercy. Fr. Michael Himes, a Boston College professor wrote: “We have the temptation to refuse to accept our own innate goodness and the goodness of others. We disbelieve the good news that we made in the image and likeness of God and that creation is good – very good.” What can we say to make you know and believe that you are good and whole and beautiful and redeemed? What do I have to say to convince you?

 

The name of God is mercy. It seems that our prayer ought to be to ask for a sincere gratitude of God’s mercy. If I fully accept that God loves me radically and sincerely, then my participation in the kingdom is to love one another the same way. A Christian’s vision sees no barriers to full, flourishing human relationships. It is a worldview that welcomes in those who are estranged and distant. It unites those who squabble and gossip, and it reconciles enemies. It builds bridges and recognizes that the kingdom of God is a big tent, and that God invites many different people into it. 

 

Regrettably, we’ve all met people who profess to be Christians who have hardened hearts. Their judgments are absolute and their righteous belief in their correctness cannot be penetrated. They speak as if they own the truth. They want a small, closed tent and they believe they are inside the tent and others should not be permitted. They allow no room for mercy. The person who holds onto ideologies and makes sweeping judgments about types of people needs one’s attitudes and convictions challenged. This type of person somehow needs one’s heart to be softened.

 

We are in the tent because we have received the mercy of God, who, in the Christ event, revealed that God knows human suffering. We are in the tent because we are welcoming, non-judging, and merciful to others. The kingdom is built on hearts softened and enlarged by mercy. We are in the tent because we know or want God to love us sincerely.

 

How can I tell you that you are lovable just as you are made. You cannot earn God’s love; you cannot lose it. There is nothing about you that can separate you from God. Nothing at all. No sin. No decision you made, nothing you said. No physical feature or mental or emotional make-up. Nothing. God only sees your goodness and cherishes you just as you are. What do I need to say to you to help you believe that? God wants you to love and see yourself the way that God loves and sees you – with honor, with pride, and great satisfaction. God’s love reaches deep into your most hidden crevices and finds you to be remarkable. This love works miracles and knows no limits, and it can make the impossible happen.

 

This is the kingdom we are in. Christ is the shepherd of our souls, and his kingdom is built on this reconciling love where you know you are redeemed, forgiven, welcomed. You belong now and forever. Nothing can separate you from this reality. This is the kingdom to which we must let others know they belong. Others are asking the question, “Jesus, will you remember me?” This is the king who will come down from the cross, to embrace you in his arms, and say, “You have always been part of it. Yes, I want you. Yes, you belong. Come. You will be with me to the end of the ages.”

 

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