Holy Wednesday. The Penitent and the Impenitent

Jesus turns toward the penitent  thief and away from the other, fulfilling the word of David in the 34th Psalm: The face of the Lord is upon the righteous and his ears are open to their cry; the face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut of the memory of them from the earth. Where did the penitence of the one come from? From the word, especially  the one written over Jesus' head: "this is the King of the Jews." He receives him as king, in spite of his wounds and crucifixion, or rather, because of them, and Jesus receives him. He was a thief, a malefactor, a guilty man, as are we all. Is he really willing to receive me, a poor miserable sinner? His reply: thou shalt be with me in Paradise. Sermon for Holy Wednesday.