Text

  1 Text|            which are mighty" (I Cor. 1:27).~
  2 Text|           Son of Man, am?" (Matt. 16:13), declared without hesitation
  3 Text|              the others (see John 21:15) he immediately answered
  4 Text|              Son of Man, am?" (Matt. 16:13), declared without hesitation
  5 Text|              had foretold (see Matt. 26:75).~After all these comparisons
  6 Text|            God before you" (Matt: 21:31). The other pre-eminent
  7 Text|             Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43).~Who would have expected
  8 Text|           had foretold (see Matt. 26:75).~After all these comparisons
  9 Text|           and God", therefore as the absolute regulator of his life and
 10     | according
 11 Text|            Actually it would be more accurate to say a detail from the
 12 Text|             a new antithesis -- more acute and outspoken -- that between
 13 Text|          have been young -- probably adolescents. But the robber's unforced
 14 Text|              expressed in his cry of adoration: "Lord, remember me when
 15     | almost
 16     | am
 17 Text|            It is worth the effort to analyze this moving confession of
 18 Text|            in Caesaria Philippi when answering the Lord's question, "Who
 19     | any
 20     | anyone
 21     | anything
 22 Text|            the soul of the soldiers. Anyway they would have been young --
 23 Text|             not merely conjecture or arbitrary hypotheses as to the deeper
 24 Text|         would have expected the most ardent search from Thomas the "
 25 Text|              23:40-42).~So now there arises a new antithesis -- more
 26 Text|        convincingly and with greater authority.~These are not merely conjecture
 27     | became
 28     | before
 29 Text|           criminal, the other robber begins to speak in order to curb
 30 Text|           placed as a "condition" to believe, was not done out of unbelief
 31 Text|              not be unbelieving, but believing" John 20:27), Thomas did
 32     | Beside
 33 Text|              simultaneously with the blaspheming criminal, the other robber
 34 Text|           soul, such that no one can boast about anything or condemn
 35 Text|              Passion and the joys of Bright Week, which climaxed with
 36 Text|           God!" (John 20:28). Such a burning confession relating to the
 37 Text|            Even the Apostle Peter in Caesaria Philippi when answering
 38 Text|           popular piety has unjustly called doubting. We see this immediately
 39 Text|             one and at the same time calls on him as God for his personal
 40 Text|            robber's unforced mocking came directly from the confusion
 41     | can
 42 Text|           marvelous thing about this case is that the primacy of confession
 43 Text|           which needed no pretext or cause to deride an innocent person: "
 44 Text|              of a set procedure -- a certain protocol -- and did not
 45 Text|           with the only Sinless One. Certainly the tortures imposed by
 46 Text|       inexpressible: "...and God has chosen the weak things of the world
 47 Text|           joys of Bright Week, which climaxed with the Apostle Thomas
 48 Text|              He wanted to live it as closely as possible so that he would
 49 Text|     Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom
 50 Text|              26:75).~After all these comparisons and correlations between
 51 Text|              boast about anything or condemn anyone. Who would have expected
 52 Text|        seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for
 53 Text|            supports the one unjustly condemned. But the honourable and
 54 Text|           first, totally unprovoked "condemns" unjustly, the second, totally
 55 Text|           Thomas. Even though Christ condescended to his desire and invited
 56 Text|          side, which he placed as a "condition" to believe, was not done
 57 Text|         further.~Firstly, he did not confess the Risen One merely as "
 58 Text|             first who recognised and confessed that the crucified one was
 59 Text|            even more significant. He confesses the divinity of the crucified
 60 Text|            in Paradise.~Secondly, in confessing directly the divinity of
 61 Text|                The other pre-eminent confessor was the Apostle Thomas.
 62 Text|            not enough for Thomas to "confirm" the miracle. He wanted
 63 Text|       mocking came directly from the confusion of his tormented soul which
 64 Text|      authority.~These are not merely conjecture or arbitrary hypotheses
 65 Text|              Yet he did not directly connect this confession to his personal
 66 Text|              notes that, as a direct consequence of Christ's invitation: "...
 67 Text|            be able to preach it more convincingly and with greater authority.~
 68 Text|          things which are mighty" (I Cor. 1:27).~
 69 Text|            all these comparisons and correlations between the Crucifiers,
 70 Text|               And by "privilege", of course, we do not mean the fact
 71 Text|  simultaneously with the blaspheming criminal, the other robber begins
 72 Text|          begins to speak in order to curb the unrestrained injustice: "
 73 Text|          unbelief or little faith or curiosity. It was an unquenchable
 74 Text|          John 20:27), Thomas did not dare to touch Him. At least the
 75 Text|            according to Christ's own declaration: "Assuredly, I say to you,
 76 Text|          hastens at the same time to declare his personal subjection
 77 Text|             Man, am?" (Matt. 16:13), declared without hesitation that "
 78 Text|        receive the due reward of our deeds..." (Luke 23:40-42).~So
 79 Text|       arbitrary hypotheses as to the deeper mind of Thomas whom popular
 80 Text|         Christ, as he had previously demanded. While the Lord told him
 81 Text|            to keep this promise, and denied Him three times as Christ
 82 Text|                 we see once more the depths of the mystery of the human
 83 Text|        needed no pretext or cause to deride an innocent person: "If
 84 Text|           Christ condescended to his desire and invited Thomas to touch
 85 Text|            be more accurate to say a detail from the scene of the Crucifixion.
 86 Text|     immediately answered without any difficulty that he not only loved Him,
 87 Text|              simply notes that, as a direct consequence of Christ's
 88 Text|            was expressed by no other disciple or Apostle. Even the Apostle
 89     | done
 90 Text|              search from Thomas the "doubter" who was instantaneously
 91 Text|            piety has unjustly called doubting. We see this immediately
 92     | down
 93 Text|           justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds..." (
 94     | each
 95 Text|              20:28). It is worth the effort to analyze this moving confession
 96 Text|              Christ. While the other eleven disciples who had previously
 97 Text|   immediately from what he said upon encountering the Risen Christ. While
 98 Text|            other hand, exhausted, He endures the mocking of the passers-by
 99     | enough
100 Text|           tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before
101 Text|            not mean the fact that he entered first into Paradise. We
102 Text|           which were rewarded by the entrance to Paradise. The marvelous
103 Text|        mocking of the passers-by and especially of one of the two robbers
104 Text|             events which the blessed Evangelists recorded.~The first point
105 Text|          orders". On the other hand, exhausted, He endures the mocking
106 Text|           confession to his personal existence and life. And when on the
107 Text|              protocol -- and did not express the soul of the soldiers.
108 Text|           and was humbled to such an extent that he was able to see
109 Text|            out of unbelief or little faith or curiosity. It was an
110 Text|          injustice: "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under
111     | few
112 Text|             Roman soldiers who were "following orders". On the other hand,
113 Text|        touching Christ's side, still fresh in our mind, it is worth
114     | further
115 Text|              met him were merely "...glad when they saw the Lord"
116 Text|           least the text of the holy Gospel does not refer at all, or
117 Text|           more convincingly and with greater authority.~These are not
118 Text|          finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here,
119 Text|              that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God
120 Text|              see John 20:27), Thomas hastened to cry out without hesitation "
121 Text|           divinity of Christ, Thomas hastens at the same time to declare
122 Text|           not be satisfied merely by hearing about the Resurrection or
123     | Himself
124 Text|            not refer at all, or even hint at, the touching of Christ'
125 Text|             At least the text of the holy Gospel does not refer at
126 Text|              two robbers who had the honour of being crucified together
127 Text|          unjustly condemned. But the honourable and just robber does not
128 Text|         depths of the mystery of the human soul, such that no one can
129 Text|             one who repented and was humbled to such an extent that he
130 Text|              conjecture or arbitrary hypotheses as to the deeper mind of
131 Text|              his personal subjection i.e. he receives him wholeheartedly
132 Text|           robber who only indirectly implied the "divinity" of Christ
133 Text|       Thirdly, and perhaps even more importantly, Thomas did not make his
134 Text|               Certainly the tortures imposed by the Roman soldiers were
135 Text|              did the robber who only indirectly implied the "divinity" of
136 Text|            ways are unsearchable and inexpressible: "...and God has chosen
137 Text|             why He became the first "inhabitant" of Paradise according to
138 Text|             to curb the unrestrained injustice: "Do you not even fear God,
139 Text|        pretext or cause to deride an innocent person: "If you are the
140 Text|         Thomas the "doubter" who was instantaneously transformed into the most
141 Text|            transformed into the most intense proclaimer and worshipper
142 Text|            40).~Beside this somewhat invisible antithesis, amongst the
143 Text|              consequence of Christ's invitation: "...Thomas answered and
144 Text|       condescended to his desire and invited Thomas to touch Him (see
145 Text|             Christ's Passion and the joys of Bright Week, which climaxed
146 Text|          condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due
147 Text|            But Peter was not able to keep this promise, and denied
148     | least
149 Text|            the miracle. He wanted to live it as closely as possible
150 Text|               You are the Son of the living God" and was blessed by
151 Text|          Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your
152 Text|            Crucifixion. In fact that macabre scene is made up of a whole
153     | made
154 Text|         first into Paradise. We mean mainly the primacy of the recognition
155     | make
156 Text|           men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" (Matt. 16:13), declared
157     | many
158 Text|            entrance to Paradise. The marvelous thing about this case is
159 Text|             Lord's question, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man,
160 Text|         disciples who had previously met him were merely "...glad
161 Text|           shame the things which are mighty" (I Cor. 1:27).~
162 Text|              Thomas to "confirm" the miracle. He wanted to live it as
163 Text|            mind, it is worth pausing momentarily on a few striking points
164 Text|           the effort to analyze this moving confession of Thomas a little
165 Text|          once more the depths of the mystery of the human soul, such
166 Text|          finger on "the print of the nails".~In other words, it was
167 Text|             his tormented soul which needed no pretext or cause to deride
168 Text|                So now there arises a new antithesis -- more acute
169 Text|              taking place. It simply notes that, as a direct consequence
170     | now
171 Text|          life. And when on the other occasion Christ asked Peter if he
172     | once
173 Text|            robber begins to speak in order to curb the unrestrained
174 Text|         soldiers who were "following orders". On the other hand, exhausted,
175 Text|         antithesis -- more acute and outspoken -- that between the two
176 Text|              the Roman soldiers were part of a set procedure -- a
177 Text|           endures the mocking of the passers-by and especially of one of
178 Text|             in our mind, it is worth pausing momentarily on a few striking
179     | perhaps
180 Text|       therefore, the second and more philanthropic one, was the first who recognised
181 Text|            Apostle Peter in Caesaria Philippi when answering the Lord'
182 Text|          mind of Thomas whom popular piety has unjustly called doubting.
183 Text|              won by a "virtuous" or "pious" person but by a robber --
184 Text|        Christ's side actually taking place. It simply notes that, as
185 Text|              Christ's side, which he placed as a "condition" to believe,
186 Text|        themselves which saved Him by placing his own finger on "the print
187 Text|      Evangelists recorded.~The first point is a scene from the Crucifixion.
188 Text|        momentarily on a few striking points amongst the many events
189 Text|           deeper mind of Thomas whom popular piety has unjustly called
190 Text|             to live it as closely as possible so that he would be able
191 Text|              Matt: 21:31). The other pre-eminent confessor was the Apostle
192 Text|             that he would be able to preach it more convincingly and
193 Text|       tormented soul which needed no pretext or cause to deride an innocent
194 Text|       placing his own finger on "the print of the nails".~In other
195 Text|             would have been young -- probably adolescents. But the robber'
196 Text|          soldiers were part of a set procedure -- a certain protocol --
197 Text|    transformed into the most intense proclaimer and worshipper of the Risen
198 Text|            was not able to keep this promise, and denied Him three times
199 Text|           set procedure -- a certain protocol -- and did not express the
200 Text|            when answering the Lord's question, "Who do men say that I,
201 Text|             we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds..." (
202 Text|          personal subjection i.e. he receives him wholeheartedly firstly
203 Text| philanthropic one, was the first who recognised and confessed that the crucified
204 Text|            mainly the primacy of the recognition and confession which were
205 Text|              the blessed Evangelists recorded.~The first point is a scene
206 Text|             the holy Gospel does not refer at all, or even hint at,
207 Text|            therefore as the absolute regulator of his life and death.~Thirdly,
208 Text|            Such a burning confession relating to the person of Christ,
209 Text|             cry of adoration: "Lord, remember me when You come in Your
210 Text|            Lord" when he asked to be remembered in Paradise.~Secondly, in
211 Text|           but by a robber -- one who repented and was humbled to such
212 Text|               for we receive the due reward of our deeds..." (Luke 23:
213 Text|            and confession which were rewarded by the entrance to Paradise.
214 Text|               but that he would even sacrifice his life for Him. But Peter
215 Text|              as God for his personal salvation. These two things are expressed
216 Text|            thirst which could not be satisfied merely by hearing about
217 Text|              wounds themselves which saved Him by placing his own finger
218 Text|            merely "...glad when they saw the Lord" John: 20:20) this
219 Text|               divinity" of Christ by saying "Lord" when he asked to
220 Text|             expected the most ardent search from Thomas the "doubter"
221 Text|              remembered in Paradise.~Secondly, in confessing directly
222 Text|          scene is made up of a whole series of snapshots.~Christ, on
223 Text|              soldiers were part of a set procedure -- a certain protocol --
224 Text|          Christ -- in which each was shaken by the events of the Cross
225 Text|        things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty" (
226 Text|             does something even more significant. He confesses the divinity
227 Text|            actually taking place. It simply notes that, as a direct
228 Text|    crucifiers and the robber, almost simultaneously with the blaspheming criminal,
229 Text|     crucified together with the only Sinless One. Certainly the tortures
230 Text|              up of a whole series of snapshots.~Christ, on the one hand,
231     | something
232 Text|            Matt. 27:40).~Beside this somewhat invisible antithesis, amongst
233 Text|           the other robber begins to speak in order to curb the unrestrained
234     | still
235     | stop
236 Text|         pausing momentarily on a few striking points amongst the many
237 Text|              to declare his personal subjection i.e. he receives him wholeheartedly
238 Text|           second, totally uninvited, supports the one unjustly condemned.
239     | taking
240 Text|         Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter
241 Text|              touch Him. At least the text of the holy Gospel does
242     | than
243     | themselves
244     | there
245 Text|              Paradise. The marvelous thing about this case is that
246 Text|     regulator of his life and death.~Thirdly, and perhaps even more importantly,
247 Text|               It was an unquenchable thirst which could not be satisfied
248     | though
249 Text|              promise, and denied Him three times as Christ had foretold (
250 Text|        promise, and denied Him three times as Christ had foretold (
251 Text|             Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (
252     | together
253 Text|             demanded. While the Lord told him directly: "Reach your
254 Text|           Sinless One. Certainly the tortures imposed by the Roman soldiers
255 Text|              who was instantaneously transformed into the most intense proclaimer
256 Text|         believe, was not done out of unbelief or little faith or curiosity.
257 Text|              into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing" John 20:
258     | under
259 Text|        adolescents. But the robber's unforced mocking came directly from
260 Text|        unjustly, the second, totally uninvited, supports the one unjustly
261 Text|             While the first, totally unprovoked "condemns" unjustly, the
262 Text|              or curiosity. It was an unquenchable thirst which could not be
263 Text|           speak in order to curb the unrestrained injustice: "Do you not even
264 Text|             One!~Indeed His ways are unsearchable and inexpressible: "...and
265     | up
266     | upon
267 Text|         confession was not won by a "virtuous" or "pious" person but by
268 Text|            the Risen One!~Indeed His ways are unsearchable and inexpressible: "...
269 Text|               and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put
270 Text|       Passion and the joys of Bright Week, which climaxed with the
271     | what
272     | whole
273 Text|      subjection i.e. he receives him wholeheartedly firstly as his own "Lord
274     | whom
275     | why
276     | will
277 Text|              of the nails".~In other words, it was not enough for Thomas
278 Text|        chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things
279 Text|          most intense proclaimer and worshipper of the Risen One!~Indeed
280 Text|               He wanted to touch the wounds themselves which saved Him
281     | Yet
282 Text|          Anyway they would have been young -- probably adolescents.