2021 Grand Finale: One Hour of Faith makes all the Difference

At the end of the year, it is right and just that we give thanks to the Lord. But there is sometimes something that hinders our joy. It is the times we have not done what is right. And now, with 2021 ending, we no longer have the opportunity to repair the damage, and we cannot be so happy about that. Now, there is nothing more we can do.

Once, there was a man in a very similar situation. (Luke 23:39-43) That man happened to be only a few feet away from Jesus while Jesus was dying on the Cross: that man was a thief. This particular thief, convicted for his crimes, was now about to die and he, too, was hanging on a cross. What he had done in his life previously was mostly bad, to the point that the man accused himself in front of everyone: “We are here justly condemned”, he said. He could not even make the Sign of the Cross, because his arms, just like the arms of Jesus, were nailed to a cross. There was no way for this man to give back all he had stolen, no way of saying sorry to all those he had offended.

But, O miracle of the goodness of the Lord, to no other man nor woman on earth has ever been said what was said to that thief by Jesus Himself: “I tell you most solemnly, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

As we finish with 2021 and move into 2022, let us reflect: how could this man in such a short span of time repair a whole life of sin? How could he, in so little time, please the Lord so much and gain forgiveness for all his sins?

1- He confessed his sin. Of course, this is related to the Sacrament of Penance. But especially to the right way of doing Confession. Confession is not only to tell my sins, but to recognize that I am a sinner. To recognize that, contrary to what many people say nowadays, we are not always “wonderful.” Nowadays—they say—whatever you do, you are “pursuing your values,” you are never bad. Whatever you say, you are “expressing your views,” you are never wrong. This is not so. And there is nothing more liberating than to be able to recognize and admit in front of another person: “I was wrong, and I am not happy about that.” This thief, referred to ever since as “The Good Thief”, even while still nailed to a cross, became the freest man in the world. He recognized that he was a thief, that his punishment was just, that what he did was bad and he was sorry. Oh, the Lord could not resist loving this man. When Jesus sees so much humility, He forgives immediately, and He gives much more than we expect.

2- He didn’t blame Jesus. Instead, the Good Thief said: “We are here justly condemned, but He [Jesus] has not done anything wrong.” He knew Jesus was God, that is why he said to Jesus, “Lord.” He didn’t blame Jesus for the circumstances that had probably led him to become a thief. He didn’t blame Jesus for his sufferings. “We are justly condemned, He didn’t do anything wrong.” How easy it would have been to blame Jesus, when so many people around the Cross were insulting Jesus and spitting on Him! The Good Thief didn’t blame Jesus, he blamed himself. He understood that, in God’s Plan, there might be a reason for suffering. He understood that, were it not for his cross, he would not have been as close to Jesus as he was.

3- Finally, this man asked Jesus for His mercy. “Lord, remember me.” He was a bad guy, he confessed in front of Jesus Himself that he was. He could not repair in any way what he had done. He was about to die, he had no hope. How could he ask for mercy? “Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.” I am a sinner, but You came to forgive us. I cannot repair what I have done, but you are God, You can do it for me. I am about to die, but You came to give us life. You are a doctor, and I am sick. You are bread, and I am hungry. You are for me, and I am for You. I am the darkness and you are Light. Shine upon me. “Lord, remember me.”

“I tell you most solemnly, today you will be with me in Paradise.” One hour of faith repaired a life of wrong. Because the mercy of God does not know about time, a day for God is like a thousand years. And so, as one year ends and a new year begins, let us confess our sins, let us recognize humbly that we have done wrong. Let us confidently ask the Lord for His mercy. He cannot resist humility. May this Holy Mass, in which we—like the Good Thief—are so close to the Lord, be our own hour of faith. If 2021 was not the best, let us give it a grand finale. Let us ask the Lord to remember us. And let us hear from His lips the promise that we will be with Him: “I tell you most solemnly, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”