Hello friends,
This is Mark Gladman,
Also known as Brother Frederick James,
Your friendly neighbourhood monk in docks,
And welcome once again to The Dwelling Place,
Where today the focus of our meditation is today's reading from Luke chapter 23,
Verses 26 to 49.
A reading which focuses on the crucifixion of Jesus,
On his words from the cross,
And the deep mystery of mercy in the midst of suffering.
As we begin,
Let your body be still.
Let your breath deepen.
Let your spirit walk to the foot of the cross.
Hear where God's love is laid bare.
And today we focus on three key phrases from the passage.
In verse 34,
Where Jesus says,
Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.
In verse 42,
Where the thief on the cross says,
Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.
And in verse 43,
Where Jesus responds saying,
Truly I tell you,
Today you will be with me in paradise.
They let him out.
Wounded,
Bruised,
Burdened by the weight of the cross,
Simon of Cyrene was pulled from the crowd,
Asked to carry what Jesus could no longer bear.
Already,
Mercy is moving in the margins.
And as Jesus walks,
He turns his face to the weeping women,
Not to be consoled,
But to speak truth.
Don't just mourn what's happening to me.
See what is happening in the world.
You see,
Even in agony,
He looks outward.
Even in the midst of suffering,
He teaches love.
Then they crucify him.
Nails through the hands,
A crown of thorns pressing into skin,
Stripped of dignity,
Hung between criminals.
And from the cross,
What does he say?
Not vengeance,
Not rage,
And not despair.
But Father,
Forgive them.
Jesus,
How?
How can you speak such mercy?
How can you forgive while still bleeding from the wounds they gave you?
How can love still be your language when pain has become your breath?
You see their ignorance.
You even name their blindness,
But you refuse to hold their sin against them.
You speak forgiveness into the very air that killed you.
And I,
I struggle to forgive even the small offences.
Lord,
Let your mercy unravel my pride.
Let your cross become my teacher.
Teach me to forgive,
Not when it's easy,
But when it feels impossible.
Teach me to release what I keep clutching.
Teach me to be free.
Next to you,
A thief cries out.
Not for rescue,
Not for escape,
But just for remembrance.
Jesus,
Remember me.
And you,
Hanging in agony,
Turn to him with compassion.
Today,
You say to him,
You will be with me in paradise.
Even here,
Even in this moment,
You are not done inviting people to come and make their home in you.
Even dying,
You are still redeeming.
Jesus,
I am the one who asks,
Will you remember me?
Not when I've earned it,
Not when I'm at my best,
But now,
Broken,
Uncertain,
Afraid.
And you say yes now,
Even here.
Let that be enough.
Let your yes undo the lie that says I have to be perfect to be loved.
Let me know what the thief knew,
That your kingdom is always open to the ones who dare to hope.
And then,
The sky darkens,
The veil tears,
The ground shakes,
And the centurion,
A soldier trained to kill,
Looks up and says,
Surely this man was innocent.
It reminds us that even the enemy sees the truth when love dies with dignity.
Jesus,
Teach me to look at your cross and not see defeat,
But love poured out.
Help me walk through the shadows with the kind of mercy that says,
Forgive them.
Before I say anything else,
Help me remember that in my worst moments,
You are still the one who turns toward me and says,
You will be with me.
And that,
That is everything.
And as you carry this truth in your heart today,
Friend,
May grace,
Peace,
And love be with you.
Every step of the way,
Today and always.
Amen.
Until tomorrow,
Peace be with you.
