"This is a very strong message for all of us that there is hope, while we are alive it is not too late to repent," Alexandra Karamihaleva notes. "Let us recognize Christ as God and as our Saviour. Let us glorify Him as such and ask for forgiveness for our sins. In fact, the robber commits many serious transgressions, murders, robberies, but with this attitude of sorrow and humility, he realizes that he deserves his suffering and punishment. He also sees that Jesus suffers in spite of having no guilt, in spite of being righteous, and this insight of his is actually salvific for him. It is also very encouraging for all of us, but it should also make us extremely cautious when we say of someone that he or she is a sinner. We don't know what they are like standing before God, how they repent and pray that night, and whether God has forgiven them. That remains hidden to us."

So we must be extremely careful, even in our thoughts, to seek not to condemn others, even when we see their transgressions with our eyes. "Our attention must be focused on every movement of our soul - whether we are responding to other people with love," says Alexandra Karamihaleva.

"In fact, this is our measure - the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our only model. At every moment of our lives we should ask ourselves how Christ would act in our place. And He would act with unconditional love for every person, both the sinner and the righteous - with forgiveness, with mercy and generosity. This is what we should be like - striving to become better, more Christ-like, more God-like every day.", is the message of theologian Alexandra Karamihaleva on Good Friday.

Photos: bg-patriarshia.bg, BGNES