A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

The people stood there watching, and the leaders kept jeering at Jesus, saying, “You saved others; save yourself if you are the Messiah of God, the Chosen One.”  The soldiers also made fun of Jesus, coming forward to offer their sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.”  There was an inscription over Jesus’ head: ”THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

One of the criminals hanging in crucifixion blasphemed Jesus, “Aren’t you the Messiah?  Then save yourself and us.”  But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Have you no fear of God, seeing you are under the same sentence?  We deserve it, after all.  We are only paying the price for what we have done, but this man has done nothing wrong.”  Then, asking of Jesus, “Remember me when you enter upon your reign.”  And Jesus replied, “I assure you: this day you will be with me in paradise.”

The Good News as spoken through Luke.