No. 58 The Mark and the Thief

You shall not steal. Matthew 19:18; Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20, Commandment #8

To acquiesce to stealing would make for a pretty chaotic society. In an ideal world everyone is able to buy all that they need and want, and no one is tempted to steal from a store, a hotel, a restaurant, or from another person, or from work, or from the government at tax time. And yet, even aspiring immortals, steel for other reasons such as greed, thrills, revenge, and even hubris.

Petty thieves who may also be aspiring immortals should keep in mind that every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. He is our zillionaire Father who wants to be trusted, and obeyed; food, clothing and all one requires and perhaps even desires will follow. Stealing is one sign that the poor thief doesn’t trust the Lord to provide, or that the thief wants more than God knows (s)he should receive for a very good reason.

When (s)he steals, (s)he may also think (s)he deserves what (she) wants, perhaps because the victim of his or her crime is a louse or rich enough.

Stealing isn’t just a character flaw; it is also a spiritual disease. Whatever you do, don’t steal something to give as a Christmas present. That is very embarrassing to baby Jesus. And don’t think you can be as valiant as Errol Flynn who pretended he was Robin Hood stealing from the rich to give to the poor. No one knows whether Robin Hood will become an immortal too.

Ask and you will receive.

If you don’t, learn patience and abstinence and enter through the narrow gate.

Virtue is gold.

Merry.