The Healing Journey

March 24, 2025

As Jesus hung on the cross between two criminals — betrayed, abandoned and mocked by the people he came to save — the only person who defended him was a common thief. And that encounter between two dying men, a common criminal and the Son of God, will endure for eternity as a testament to divine mercy.

St. Luke’s account of the crucifixion says two unnamed thieves were crucified with Jesus, one on his right and one on his left. One taunts Jesus by telling him to save himself and them if he is the Messiah.

However, the “good thief,” who according to tradition was on Jesus’ right, rebukes the other and says, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? We have been condemned justly … but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then, he asks, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus replies: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Even though little is known about the thief we call St. Dismas, he has appeared throughout history in legends, sermons, apocryphal gospels, fiction, film, music and even a children’s book. His feast is observed on March 25, which is traditionally the Solemnity of the Annunciation, because according to ancient tradition, Christ and the thief died on the anniversary of the Incarnation.

Venerable Fulton Sheen in his book “The Life of Christ,” said the thief was the only one who spoke to Jesus that afternoon without reproach: “He was a thief to the end, and he even stole Heaven.”

Hear the Taize Community, an ecumenical monastic order, sing “Jesus, Remember Me,” https://youtu.be/r6tVReXsioM?si=oFg-g02SjFtn2h_O
©J Pisani

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