THE THREE CROSSES – DESTINY WE CHOOSE
28 APRIL 2018
Look at the two thieves – there are your paths: Eternal Salvation or Eternal Death.
Have you ever thought about why Jesus was Crucified with two criminals – and the true meaning for humanity?
They are the two paths men can make about their lives: Eternal Bliss with God in Heaven, or Eternal Death in Hell with Satan. Both criminals depict humanity’s sins and their free will to choose the right path and how gracious Jesus was to offer Eternal Salvation to both criminals. Both were equal in pain and Jesus did not favour either one, yet the thief on the left confessed his sin before God and men and received his reward – while the thief on the right chose death and even cursed God and men, only con-sidering himself. Dismas on the other hand considered not his pain, but gave witness to the Goodness of Christ and His Sacrifice.
Yet all on the crosses were tormented, jeered at and insulted by a sinful crowd, except for the Mother of Jesus and the two great heroes of God, Saint John and Mary Magdalen. The two thieves were suspected of murder, but were called thieves. Dismas was called the good thief and the bad thief was called Gesmas. Both belonged to a gang of robbers.
Who comes to the aid of the good thief? Mary. The repentant and remorseful Dismas prays: “Jesus Nazarene, King of the Jews, have Mercy on me. Jesus Nazarene, King of the Jews, I hope in You. Jesus Nazarene, King of the Jews, I believe in your Divinity.”
So, let us look at this more closely: It is called choice and free will. Every moment of our life on Earth is that we must make choices through our free will. This is the Gift God has given to every man, woman and child, regardless of their station in life and where we find ourselves.
Many souls say: O, he has it easier because he is rich, or powerful – he has a job, or he is married – he is not sick – he does not understand loneliness. Yet all men in any situation have a choice to accept their lot in life, or reject it, or accuse God of not loving us, because He has allowed this situation.
The three crosses tell it all! Both thieves had the same sentence, yet one attacked Christ and blamed everyone else – yet the good thief realized that he was in the same situation as the weak thief and more so, Our Lord’s. Dismas chose the right path and made the right decision through his free will, as no one forced him to ask Jesus for His forgiveness. He recognized his sin and fault, that he deserved to be on a cross. Dismas made his choice freely – he had hope – he had remorse and turned to the only One who could heal him and console him, even in the most despicable situation.
Yet, Gesmas only thought of himself. He did not regret what he had done in his life, which was taking joy, possessions, love and dignity from others who he had wronged.
Every soul on Earth has a sublime destiny to receive the inheritance of the Kingdom of God, to live in peace, love and happiness for eternity, with God. Every person has the same Gifts from God to be saved. We all have different roads to travel, but each path ends up on that hill, called Calvary, next to the two thieves. Choice and free will – which one are you: Gesmas or Dismas?
CHOICE-DESTINY, FREE WILL — FROM MDM AND MARIA VALTORTA (NOTEBOOKS)
Maria Valtorta, from Jesus: “For the Angels to do the Will of God is to do something joyful; to do the Will of God for men is to do something painful. It is to do what I did.”
“The power of doing the Will of God: It makes God unable to refuse us anything. Life is made up of little things; little things should be observed with loving eyes and exact knowledge. God does not change – He adapts to your changes.”
In Ecclesiasticus 33: 11-15: “There are different destinies for man. How can you know the reason; how can you from the Earth – a little speck of dust whirling in space – comprehend the real truth about things, which is written in Heaven. Destiny is known by God.”
Let us consider the roots of a large tree – each branch of the root system is a person. The tree of the Cross bears the destiny of each soul. Free will – choice – obedience – disobedience. No matter your faith, creed, sex or colour – even those who are Pagans, Agnostics, Atheists – all have red blood running in their veins – all have a conscience, which is the mirror of the soul – the eyes and the heart are the entrance.
All men know right from wrong. All men have free will and a choice. All are created to be saved, to live with God eternally. Do not blame God or your parents, your children, your friends or society – regardless of your situation. Even when it is evil – blame only yourself for your choices. However, sometimes God will lead you, or allow you to be drawn into situations out of your control, due to the hatred and jealousy of mankind. Turn to God and ask Him for help. Trust in His Goodness, for everything that happens in life, God permits. He is in total control. All you need to do is recognize if it is your own choice or not. If it came through your own fault, admit it and move on. If it is not your choice, ask God to help you and allow Him to open the door for you.
Say the prayer of Saint Dismas, the good thief, as it is one of acknowledgement of his sins, his remorse and turning to Jesus, Who is the Saviour.
DISMAS’ PRAYER
“Jesus Nazarene, King of the Jews, have Mercy on me. Jesus Nazarene, King of the Jews, I hope in You. Jesus Nazarene, King of the Jews, I believe in your Divinity.”
RECENT MESSAGE FROM JESUS TO WILLIAM:
JESUS OFFERS MERCY EVEN IN THE LAST HOUR, TO ALL SOULS AND THIS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE BEFORE JESUS RETURNS IN THAT LAST HOUR EVEN IF THE MARK HAS BEEN TAKEN.
[Our Lord said the same to MDM]