The Good Thief: A Biography
“Today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Disclaimer: Like many figures of old, there is not a great deal of detailed or factual information on the Good Thief. Therefore, this biography is composed of a mixture of what the Church has from Sacred Scripture, but mostly from prayerful creative liberty.
“The most popular name, Dismas, was adopted from the Greek word for "sunset" or “death.” https://faith.nd.edu/saint/st-dismas-the-good-thief/
It went well for this man who spent the last moments of his earthly life glorifying Our Lord and Him Crucified. How he arrived at the privileged place beside our Lord on a cross of his very own, is hidden and unknown to almost everyone. Another privileged place was to be an eyewitness to a few pivotal moments in the life of Dismas; a thief and a beloved son of God the Father.
Dismas spent most of his life alone, or so he thought. He didn’t know about the inner room of his own heart, fashioned in secret in the womb of his dying mother. He was born into original sin and by his own estimation, was left for dead. Death enveloped him, but he never became comfortable with that reality. Dismas saw the cruelty of life without meaning. He touched unredeemed suffering with dirty hands. Dismas smelled the stench of personal sin and wallowed in guilt; he was unable to escape on his own. He believed he was alone, but hoped that he was wrong. Dismas lived his earthly life always searching, though very uncertain as to what or who he was looking for. He often found himself confused and afraid. It was out of this state that he made choices, some of which would help him take his mind off the interior pain he experienced. The pain he experienced was something very real and unshakable. It was deep and visceral. Dismas suffered in his mind, his body, and his will. To numb this ever present ache, he lent himself to every distraction and vice. He wore every hat: liar, drunkard, extortioner, adulterer, murderer, thief!
Dismas was not aware of his dignity: his beloved sonship of a good and gracious Father. He searched everywhere, but was unable to find what he was looking for. There was a nagging thought that never seemed to escape him: “There has to be more than this!” When he paused to listen for a response, the only thing he heard was silence.
My first encounter with him was on the road from Bethlehem through the Sinai Peninsula. We were fleeing Bethlehem and seeking refuge in Egypt. It was cold and we were weary from arduous travel. I had just finished swaddling Jesus, and as he lay sleeping in Joseph's arms, a band of a few young men seemed to come out of nowhere in the darkness of night. There was a leader and he demanded we turn over all valuable items. Clearly he was unaware of our material poverty. Another young man looked intently into my eyes. He saw Joseph and my sleeping baby in his arms. He spoke stern words to the leader of the wayward band. The leader swore and pushed him to the ground toward us and fled away. Dismas looked up at me, but was unable to speak. I looked deeply into his dark and kind eyes. What I saw was a deep longing that would be satisfied, but not that night. He arose ever so gently and left with every hesitation.
From that moment on, I would recall his gentle and compassionate eyes, as well as his wayward rebellious heart. I held him closely in my heart and prayed for him often.
Many years later I encountered Dismas as I stood at the foot of the Cross. Upon arrival I immediately recognized him on the cross to the right of my Son. A thrill shot through my sorrowful heart and I was filled with gratitude, mostly just to be at the foot of my Son’s cross; but also that Dismas and Gestas were there as well. I looked at Dismas and I saw him through and through. I looked at him and I saw his heart, his hands, his whole body. I saw him and I loved him. He saw me and heard the breathless words of my Son, “Woman, behold thy son!” I looked at Gestas and continued to hope against hope. I looked at Dismas, and saw one of the most beautiful sights: his smile. My heart was so pierced, yet so moved and filled with love. I prayed and I wept. My Son: the Son of God and the Son of Man, innocent yet nailed to the cross for the loving redemption of all of my children.
Dismas held that genuine smile as he gazed at my Son. He saw everything his heart had longed for. He saw the Savior of the world. He listened intently to His last words. He was completely fixed on the manner of His last hours on earth. Dismas saw the meekness and the thirst He had for each and every soul. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!” (Luke 23:34) The heart of Dismas proceeded to melt and a certain confidence radiated from him. The guilt he could not shake his whole life long suddenly vanished. In one instance Dismas knew who he was as he became aware of his dignity. He realized in that split, graced second that he was never alone; from now on he would never be alone. Then, Gestas began to scoff and said, “ Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39)
A surge of righteous anger rose up in Dismas as he spoke to Gestas, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, this man has done nothing criminal." (Luke 23: 39-41) Then moved by the most sincere contrition a soul could muster, he uttered one of the most humble and salvific prayers: “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42)
The silence Dismas was accustomed to was finally broken with the sweetest sound from the Savior of the world, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)