"I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me."
by: Bro. Emerson C. Maala
One of the best and most beautiful things that we could hear from our best friends or a family member when we are struggling is a word of assurance. It gives us security and hope that something good can still happen despite the challenges we are facing—not out of forced optimism, but out of a love that knows us and remains with us. These are words that do not deny the pain, but rather offer a presence that consoles us and loves us. They may not give us the answer we want to hear, but they remind us that we are not alone in this journey full of challenges.
The Second Word of Jesus on the Cross gives us this kind of hope: “I promise you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” These are not just mere words, but in themselves an act of love.
Even before I entered the seminary, I knew that answering God’s call would not be easy. There are many trials that a seminarian faces—struggles with discipline, identity, relationships, and the constant challenge of being true to oneself before God.
Looking back, I realize that during my first years in formation, I was not completely honest about who I really was. I tried to present only the good side of myself. I would say the things that sounded right, the things that would leave a positive impression on my formators. In a way, I was trying to become the “ideal seminarian”—but not necessarily the real one.
But the truth has a way of revealing itself. There were aspects of my life that I tried to keep hidden, especially when it came to relationships. At one point, my spiritual director discovered that I was seeing someone—that there was flirtation involved. He also told me that the rector already knew about it. What I thought I had managed to conceal eventually came to light. I was reprimanded and told to stay away from it. And so, my openness and honesty in formation were questioned. I did not give them my trust. I was not open enough for them to truly help me in my formation.
After that, I went to the rector’s office to talk about it. I told him everything—about my struggles in relationships, my family upbringing, and other personal matters. It was the only time that I was able to talk about these things with someone. Regarding my personal issues, he just nodded and thanked me for my openness. After that, I thought my journey to priesthood was over.
I asked myself if I should still continue in formation. I had been dishonest—not only to the formation, but also to God. I was selfish in trusting only myself and not those who could help me, especially my formators. I wondered if I was just forcing myself to continue according to my own will, and not according to the will of God. But then, my formator told me something that I will never forget: There is always a second chance. With these words, I found God’s assurance.
With so many doubts, God revealed to me that nothing had changed in His relationship with me. He still sees me as one of His own, in need of love and compassion. Like the Good Thief to whom Jesus promised Paradise, I encountered Christ’s assurance in my own life. I cried, for I felt the love, mercy, and compassion of God. He gave me a second chance to continue my formation.
Like the Good Thief, we may feel unworthy. Like him, we may come to Jesus with nothing but our brokenness. But if we have the courage to turn to Him and say, “Lord, remember me,” we will hear His assurance: I love you. You are mine. And your life is not over. Because in Christ, there is always hope. In Christ, there is always mercy. And in Christ, there is always a second chance. Jesus’s words remind us that no matter how many times we have sinned, or how long it’s been since we prayed, God is always looking for us to forgive.
And so today, as we stand before the Cross, we are invited not to despair, but to trust. Because all the learning experiences from the past are the very path that led us back to God. They are part of our humiliations that remind us to remain humble, just like the thief who recognized his own failures. And now, whenever we face moments of crisis, let us look back and remember how God has held us and carried us closer to Him.
For the One who promised Paradise from the Cross is also the One who now tells us:
“Take heart. I have overcome the world.”
This is the meaning of the Second Word: even while enduring the suffering of the Cross, Jesus gives assurance—He gives us hope. Amen.
Prayer
God our loving Father, Thank you for always giving us assurance. Even when we sinned, you always seek us and forgive. May we always see the grace of your love for us. So that we can be an instrument of Your love to others. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
