4th Book

THE GOOD THIEF

When Mary and Joseph woke up from their sweet sleep under that “protective Palm tree,” the moon was directly illuminating, diffusing its’ cool gleaming light, penetrating thick, dense leaves, reflecting Jesus’s rosy forehead by its’ soft pearly glow. A delightful, captivating smile sparkles Jesus’s pink-colored lips, then he casts a beaming sweet glare mixed with loving affection towards his mother, a look that gave the Virgin’s soul an act of absolute courage, the Nazarite’s yearning hope in this crucial journey.

—“Is this just a dream?” the Virgin said, as she securely hug Jesus to her chest. —“Does the life of my life still a life? Oh, merciful God! You did not pour your blood over your cruel persecutors!”

—“Yes, Mary yes,” her husband replied. —“God’s Angels formally declared dangers to us, and they are the ones who also saved us from the brutality of their omnipotent power. But we are wasting time right now, and the night should guide us through the Syrian border. We can rest there and we’ll be saved from danger.”

The fragile soft petals of the heavily scented tuberose can be compared to the Virgin Mary. But still, she imposes her incredible courage, which we can only see in mother’s defending their children in danger. Leaving the forest where they rested, she wholeheartedly conformed and obeyed her husband and followed him like a martyr. But she developed a surge of anxiety, an awful shakes from nervousness and panic attack.

Aside from this arduous and troublesome journey, was their emotional bitterness, unbearable pain and the unthinkable sorrow!

Herod’s illness; the Israelites extreme rage, from the wealthy Roman’s hired soldiers was the boiling eruption of the settler’s hearts! And so, for every day, hordes of marauders thickens, afflicting that land. Head-on robberies and frightful massacres were carried-on in every corner. Going to a small village was an enormous danger for citizens. Men had to get together to gear-up, carrying their weapons to fulfill their short travel. They are not just a group of peaceful merchants but, like troops of armies armed for war, from so many dangers aimed at them in every corners at all times, those threats were not astute enough to feel safe.

After Mary and Joseph surmounted thousands of those difficulties, they finally reached the rebellious town of Samaria. They mostly hide to unknown caves in the daytime, and not more than once, they let the residing wild animals hurdle or pass through them. The Blessed Virgin had endured all these, the enormous sufferings caused by the Angels, and a martyr’s courage in adversity; dauntless for what she desires, a grieving mother is fearless. One hope of great courage, bold enough to save her child from her merciless enemies. She went through all the darkest nights, filthy thick jungles, and the threatening deep chasms of Palestine. The raging howling wolves were delightful to her hearings compared to the terrifying horse’s footsteps and the tinkling sounds of swords were like a nightmare. In every corners of her tense imagination was like the vicious Roman soldiers, smiling, roughly grabbing their beloved Jesus by force.

Mary and Joseph were roaming around, hiding like criminals, hunted down and persecuted by law; they walked along the remote areas of Galilee, and parts of Samaria’s streets. They avoid getting near the crowded Cities and very cautious about being seen by any one; they walk all nights and hide the caves in the daytime. No mother had suffered this terrible fear for her child, like the Blessed Virgin for Jesus.

It seemed that heaven deprived them of hope for inspiration, or was truly undergoing trials for endurance and perseverance? Every step of the way towards the border, to their destination, were always trouble of inconvenience, facing dangers. But in every string of disaster was an ever protection, a shield from the miraculous hands of God. Just how much more threats were in store for them to go through, before they get to Egypt?………………

If ever they made it through, traveling to Palestine is another dangerous tasks they have to attain. Different tribes from different villages, where most live in the wilderness and the outback. These ethnic groups were not welcoming to strangers. The travelers behaviors from these remote villages were not very convenient to these tribes, lacking civility or chose to follow their ancestor’s lifestyle is their desire, they still carry their past beliefs. They live in their own enclosed secluded societies, a dangerous path to tracking the wild back roads.

Reaching Syrian border were almost a safe refuge from that monstrous Herod, not to mention Egypt’s desert’s extreme heat! Can the Blessed travelers be able to cross those vast expansive dunes, and are said to smoke plumes of sands when the strong desert storm winds-up to that immense wilderness, that raging ocean waves that buries hordes of merchants? Those pathways where corpses were scattered all over, the tracks where the landmarks are Camels and human skeletons, mostly are merchants? Those terrifying Sahara’s, infested mainly by pirates who are hundreds more wicked and cut-throat than the Samarian bandits? It is a barren land where no single tree is in sight, not a water drop or a single chirping bird by dawn. There is nothing to hear but the cries of crows lurking around the dying travelers, or a Panther’s growl hidden in a cave, smelling the defunct corpses that died from the heat——all these, the only fate awaiting the Blessed travelers, Mary, Joseph, and the innocent child, Jesus! How can the obedient Nazarenes travel these lengthy sandy dunes that indeed, with no doubts can become their entombment from this undulating lonely desert?

But let’s don’t assume of what can happen, and let’s go back to Samaria.

It was a deep night, and it was raining towards the area where the Holy Family’s conveyed. Walking the remote moutainous hills, deep ravines, and seemingly bottomless chasms are the roads they were tracking. Joseph was leading, holding the donkey’s bridle, then all of a sudden a resounding harsh voice was heard, a powerful tone, a soaring howl from the hollowed rocks. Joseph came to an abrupt halt!

—“Stop or your dead!”

A complete stop on their tracks! Joseph was bewildered, Mary turned pale in fear that this person may grab their child. Nervous and in panic, she immediately hid her child inside the cloak she’s wearing. Ever since they left Nazareth, this was the first time they were stopped by some strangers, from their secretive journey, not knowing what could happen next. And not realizing what was this surprise attack, they quickly noticed that many people are coming out from the woods and rocks deep cracks, and in a matter of seconds, they were surrounded. Daggers were out and aimed directly to them, when Joseph admonished them in his sweet voice, begging:

—“What bad things have we done, this lamentable mother and her innocent child would be heartbreaking to plunge those weapons of death?”

—“You have a good reason, old man!” replied the man’s voice. —“No one from these outlaws will harm you and your family, not even your hem’s clothing; they had sworn on me, and I am in full confidence that none shall be omitted from their oaths, even if brutal Herod’s servants would put up crosses for them in Golgotha.”

Dimas spoke those amicable words, having a spirit of friendliness. Then in seconds, he split up his comrades in front of him to pass thru, and get near St. Joseph. At this time, Joseph was immobilized and he can’t move his lips to talk, so Dimas continues to speak:

—“You have nothing to be afraid of, old man; your white beard is a strong witness for your long life, you know how to protect yourself. For that pitiful woman holding her child, and in fear that the child might get hurt, she can uphold to find peace on our part, and there’s no way through any danger. If anyone dared to violate any of you, our daggers would find its’ way to eliminate and finish its’ course. But the night is getting chilly, and I can see that the mother and the child were cold, for they are soaking wet from the rain. Take my coat and wrapped it to them to stop their shivers.”

Then Dimas untied his coat in goat’s hair, hanging his shoulder then hand it to Joseph.

—“Oh! Thank you, thank you very much to you. You have a good heart and merciful. May God repay and recompense your kindness in the hour of your death.”

Joseph was crying like a child, recognizing, expressing his gratitude and appreciation, then he wrapped the bandit’s coat around the mother and child.

—“And now,” Dimas said, —“come and follow me; my Castle is near here, and if you don’t mind my invitation, to please stay with us until this storm passes thru. The wind is blowing hard, and it’s even winding up to our heads.”

The Blessed travelers accepted the thief’s invitation, and in a few moments, in the Castle’s kitchen, Dimas started a fire to dry their clothing. The bandit who shared his place was the one to serve and offer everything his guest’s needs. Dimas prepared a prosperous dinner that night, and he even produced two beds in Camel’s hair, for them to get a good rest from the exhaustion the Blessed travelers suffered from their journey. But before Dimas left the room, the thief went and asked the mother’s permission, “if he may at least kiss the child,” and immediately, Mary gave Jesus and spoke at the same time, saying:

—“Kiss him, my Lord, since you are defending his weakness.”

Dimas gave the Messiah a resounding kiss on his forehead, and then he exited the hall where his comrades are and spoke at the same time.

—“I can’t explain my feelings when my lips touched that child’s forehead. It seemed like I can easily breathe without difficulties, and my blood flows through as if my veins were cleansed!”

After a few more moments, all in the Castle are tight asleep. Everything was quiet except for the night birds, flying around the rampart’s top through the rift in between rocks, making sounds as night goes into deep midnight.

The next day was a bright sunny day. Dimas went straight ahead, leading to his guest’s room, where the Blessed travelers slept well. They were very pleased, and they greeted Dimas with their smiling faces, a deep sense of gratitude. A very kind Dimas ordered his cook to prepare a bountiful breakfast, then he pleads the Holy Family to see the Castle’s terrace and to catch some fresh air.

—“Sun is so good,” Dimas told them, —“follow me on the way up, so your child can breathe the mountainous fresh fragrances.”

The visitors granted Dimas’s request and followed him. They were puzzled by Dimas’s loving-kindness of generosity towards them. Jesus’s stare has magnetism towards Dimas, and he can’t turn his eyes away from that beautiful child. Something special is in that child, and he can’t explain that powerful stare that gave him the feeling of soul searching. For even, Dimas noticed that his guests are not telling him the reason for that midnight travel the other night, like justice was chasing them. But Dimas was not asking, he respects the unspoken and unrevealed secret.

They finally came to the rampart’s way and began to climb the narrow steep stairs to reach the Castle’s terrace. Dimas was carrying Jesus in his arms, then peered out the window, pointing the child those few sheep pasturing beside the Castle’s creek. Dimas was conversing the child, saying this:

—“Those sheep quietly grazing under the rampart’s shades are ours, and that little goat, white as his mother’s milk, I give it to you. A remembrance of my continuous offering to you as it grows, a criminal’s gift, the terror of the Samarian’s mountain.”

Jesus smiled, like he understands all those words spoken to him; he even patted the bandit’s long hair with his soft tiny hands, while the Blessed Virgin was tearful in secret, for her deep warmth thanksgiving to that person. Although he is covered with massive webs of transgressions, to care for her child, made Dimas filled with kindness. Joseph came near Dimas and approached him with sweet words; the Patriarch said this:

—“If you’re good, and you heart is still living inside you, loving and caring the unfortunates, why don’t you leave this cruel lifestyle, where it could lead you to misfortune sooner or later?”

—“Good old man,” the smiling Dimas replied, —“the wicked’s road is like a hill, so slippery, that when the first step is set in motion, it will be hard to navigate and control. I was good before……………….but I was deprived, corrupted by the already fouled society; it made me vile and hateful. I am in my mid-day now, and it’s too late for the healing.”

The Blessed Family stayed in the Castle until dusk. From those moments they spent there, Dimas, the merciful leader, showed them as never before an exceptional treatment.

As Joseph went to get his meek burro, one bandit, through Dimas’s command, leading in courtesy, took the mule, and tied it at the rampart’s entryway.

Just as the Holy Family prepared to leave, Joseph helped Mary to ride the tamed donkey. Dimas was carrying Jesus, but the God-child was staring at that person’s eyes who took care of him wholeheartedly, like he wanted to say goodbye. And so, he clasps his two little arms, embracing Dimas’s neck, then in a sudden, Dimas was stunned, one sweet voice, a fascinating sound like a harp suspended in the air, ringing its’ beautiful melody, blowing to his ears carried by the night wind, and it even speaks like this:

—“Your death will be great!…………..You will die together with me.”

Dimas was astonished; his mind was confused, for he thought he heard his father’s voice, coming from his deep grave. Who’s mysterious voice is that? Who spoke those words? The child he’s carrying in his arms was barely four months old.

From the astonishing event that just happened, a flash of emotion drained him, and he felt he is weakening. And in fear that he may drop that mysterious child, Dimas immediately handed him to Mary’s hand, that at the time was securely sitting at the mule’s back. Mary was smiling as Dimas handing Jesus to her hand, that beloved treasure of her heart. After the sad goodbye’s to everyone surrounding them, they left the Castle they stayed for good rest.

Dimas was very quiet; like a statue, he was standing, thinking as his eyes are watching the Blessed travelers moving away, but in his ears are those mysterious words. He remained standing at that old Castle’s rampart, looking through its’ glimmering light of Libano’s high summit mountain, watching those travelers disappearing in front of his eyes until its’ gone.

Dimas was anxious, bewildered for those words that came out from no other tongue that would likely talk, yet it’s Jesus, then he realized that darkness surrounds him. He startled, as he heard his comrades shouting, that it’s time to come out and rob the people from Samaria’s streets, their common activities.

Leading the gangs, he pointed out the zig-zagging roads where his miraculous guests trailed that way, then he spoke in his sincere words:

—“Oh! You that is great in beauty, very fortunate of all children. If ever the time comes that you should use your compassion again, remember me and don’t forget this event!”

Thirty-two years had passed, the Christ recompensed him! Upon the face of Calvary, these words were spoken, his hospitality’s continuation he had done, “THE GOOD THIEF.”

—“TODAY, I TAKE YOU WITH ME IN PARADISE!”