The scriptures don’t report his name so we’ve given him one: Dismas. We call him the « good thief. » Crucified with Jesus he asked the Lord to remember him and thus has the distinction of being the last person to speak with Jesus before the Lord died. As Good Friday comes to a close, what words might you and I speak to Jesus? Will we ask him, in his mercy, to remember us?
Dismas was the last to speak with you, Lord,
but now you have risen and you are always listening
for my voice, my prayer, my cry,
my plea for your mercy
and my hope that you will remember
and never forget me…
Hear me this night, Lord,
above and through the solemnity of this day’s prayer,
hear the shouts an cries, the whispers and laments
rising from my heart,
my hope…
Remember me this night, Lord,
for now you’ve come into your kingdom
and I so long to know the peace
I know you long to share with me…
Protect me, Lord, while I’m awake
and watch over me while I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep rest in your peace…
Tonight, two musical possibilities: first, the very words of the good thief and second, a rather contemporary rendering of a classic hymn for this day…
