Open Our Hearts Wide

“Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43

In Pope Francis’ homily on November 24, 2019 during his apostolic visit to Japan, he said that the thief beside Jesus on Calvary was “meant to be there to accompany the Lord’s suffering. And that moment does nothing more than confirm the entire meaning of Jesus’ life: always and everywhere to offer salvation.” We too can be that thief, with all our faults, failures, and vacillations. Sometimes we are hot, sometimes we are cold, and sometimes we are lukewarm towards the Lord, and our responsibilities to our brothers and sisters. 

In the same homily, Pope Francis also says, “the Second Vatican Council reminds us, they are sadly mistaken who believe that, because we have here no lasting city and keep our gaze fixed on the future, we can ignore our responsibility for the world in which we live. They fail to see that the very faith we profess obliges us to live and work in a way that points to the noble vocation to which we have been called.” 

Advent is approaching and it is a perfect time to share, to be a bringer of joy, hope, and blessing to those who have little of the gifts of the season. Let us open our hearts wide, and our wallets wider so we can truly be beside Jesus not only as He suffers (“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40) 

…but also when He reigns.