The phrase, “today you will be with Me in Paradise” gives us also a practical example of the speedy answer of prayer. No sooner had the thief uttered, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom”, than came the reply speedily to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Do not then tire of prayer and supplication, and the phrase, “Lord, remember me” ought not to part your mouth, but say it at all times, from the depths of your heart and with faith, and be confident that He will answer.
Allow not the enemy to fight you with shyness so much, so that you do not pray. The tax collector, in the depths of his embarrassment, said, “Have mercy upon me, Lord” and the thief- knowing his sin- said, “Lord, remember me”. So too are we. Shame from our sins covers our countenances and we cannot lift our faces to heaven and have no intimacy or cause to plead or excuse, yet because of His tender heart, His love and His forgiveness, we will continue to repeat the phrase, “Lord, remember me” until we receive from Him the promise of Paradise.
It did not suffice the Lord to give the thief the promise of Paradise but more than that He gave him the promise that he would be with Him. For that which is most important in Paradise is being with the Lord. Yes indeed, Paradise without the Lord is worthless, without bliss and has no right to be called ‘Paradise’. True bliss is to be with the Lord, for the Lord to be in the midst of His people who enjoy His presence, His love, His companionship, His light, His Fatherhood and His lovingkindness.
Therefore, do not seek Paradise, but seek the Lord Himself. Seek to be with Him, to meditate upon His countenance that gives gladness, as David said, “Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide Your face from me” (Ps.27:8).
What is amazing about the incident of this thief is that he received a promise to be in God’s presence in Paradise, although he had never walked with God on earth. However, in only the few hours in which he spent with the Lord, the Lord was He able to confer upon him His fellowship for ever because they were deep and profound hours, through which he reached the innermost depths of God.
What is important, therefore, is not the length of time you spend with God, but its depth; one profound word avails much. Say this word and live in the depth of communion to reach the inner depths of God.
—Pope Shenouda—