This isn t a one way relationship. One way action wouldn t be a relationship, it might be more like slavery or captivity. We are in a love relationship with God and that reality calls us to bring Christ s standards of care to the very world we live in. This is the subject of today s Gospel. Christ came to reconcile creation to God.
Reconciliation is based on forgiveness.
Even from the cross Christ had the desire to forgive his killers and to hear a confession and save the man on his side. What Christ is showing us in these events is that in all situations we must forgive those who sin against us. Last week Zara reminded all of us what Christ went through in the Passion and Death. Her description was vivid and thought provoking. Add to that vision of those final hours the desire to forgive His killers and betrayers, and the desire to forgive the sins of even a criminal hanging next to Him and promising that man Eternal Life.