Good Friday 2006

Today we remember that our Lord Jesus Christ suffered our sins, he was crucified. The sin of humanity is not to love. This attitude is often found in the home, the family, society, whole cultures, whole nations. And Jesus said, "Forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) Even while facing death, Jesus loved us all. He asked His Father in Heaven to forgive us....

The good thief asks, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And Jesus said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."  Jesus didn't just say this to save a man who was suffering a similar fate. No, Jesus saved him because the good thief showed a sign of repentance.

If you love God, you try your very best not sin. Some people have this notion that they can do what they want when they're in the prime of their lives, and that when they retire, age, they will think about God. Let me tell you, that does not work. If we are in the habit of putting important things off, do you really think that we'll change when we "retire?" Then, when we feel defeated, we attack those we love, which includes God.

The trouble with a life lived out in sin is that the habit of sinning, of offending God consistently and without giving it a second thought, is habit forming. Why? Because we want to feel good, and human as we are, we think that feeling good is material. We've forgotten that God demands excellence, and we've slung this notion back into His Face as He hangs upon the Cross and dies for us so that we may have Life.

The life God wishes us to have is a life with Him in Paradise for the rest of time. Everyone is loved. His love we do not have to earn. He loves us even though we are sinners. But paradise, heaven, that we have to earn by living a life of honesty, love for others in the same measure we love ourselves and, indeed, God.  God's unconditional love is for every being on this earth. But the responsibilities that go with this promise also applies to every being on this earth! No matter what religion you follow, God's unconditional  love for us transcends all.

In Mat. 22:36-40, Jesus is asked, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets."

We should love our neighbor as we love ourselves! If we make war, we cannot love. If we walk away from a marriage, there will be broken hearts. If we say "what sin," when confronted with the question "What would Jesus do?" we do not love God enough. And when we act in a contrary way to the tenets of the Ten Commandments, we do not love God at all. Why do you think it is that people are trying to suppress the outward showing of the Ten Commandments? When you really think about that question, doesn't it seem that we want to deny that there is such a thing as sin? Denial of sin or what leads to sin, is the slippery edge of the abyss.

God speaks to us, not only through Sacred Scripture, but to all of us, all the time. He wants you to know how much He loves you. Most of the time, we cannot hear Him because our mind is not on Him, it is closed to Him. We are a thousand miles away, with our head dug in some project, some frivolous action or even a sinful act. When it comes to acknowledging His love, we have our head in the sand. With God you can't just hit that "Sync" button and have instant rapport. When we hear God calling, we are richer than anyone who follows material things, because we are acutely aware of God's unconditional love. Be that good thief, and pray that you may find yourself in paradise with the Lord.

Lent is over. In the Catholic Church, Lent ends with the Holy Thursday evening celebration of the Eucharist. This is where Jesus gave to his Apostles and Disciples, and yes, to us, that sublime Gift of Himself, His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, the Eucharist, and commanded us to "Do this is memory of me!" That's what we do at every Holy Mass celebrated at all hours throughout the world. A perpetual celebration of His Love. Then, we are annually reminded of His death and Resurrection, where He continues to give us a gift of Himself, death on the Cross, to wash away our sins. To give us another chance at a life with the Father in paradise. The good thief knew what paradise was. So let us continue to be repentant. Don't miss this opportunity to turn your life around. Don't postpone it again for yet another year. And if this is too much to ask, just pray every day, "Jesus bless me with your love."

May Jesus Christ continue to bless you in your quest to sin no more.

Fred Schaeffer, SFO
April 14, 2006

Holy Week, 2006  †  Home Page