Act Here and Now

Three thieves sat in a secluded spot, dividing loot after a heist. As they counted their spoils, their conversation took a surprising turn.

The first thief, unusually thoughtful, said, “This life isn’t what I want anymore. I’m tired of fear and looking over my shoulder. I want to leave this behind and live respectably.”

The second thief nodded. “I’ve thought about that. My family says to change, and they’re right. But taking the step is hard. Maybe I’ll quit soon.”

The third thief chuckled, “As soon as you two give it up, I’ll join you. No need for me to change alone!”

They laughed and parted ways. A week later, they returned to old habits and were caught. In jail, they realized the cost of hesitation.

The first thief wondered why he never acted on the desire to change. The second thief recognized all the missed chances to change. He waited for the perfect moment, but it never came. The third thief realized he wasted time waiting for others, rather than taking responsibility himself.

This story of the three thieves teaches us important life lessons. Each thief had an opportunity for transformation, but they ignored, delayed, or depended on others, missing their moment.

The first thief understood the need for change, but he never acted. Thinking about change does not take us anywhere; real transformation begins only when we choose to act. Even though inspired to change, the first thief chose to sleep on his inspiration. American businessman and humorist Arnold H. Glasow remarked, “An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied.” The first thief’s fate demonstrates exactly that. What matters in life most is not just recognizing the need for change, but deciding to move forward when the opportunity arises. The best biblical example would be the first son in the parable of the two sons (Matthew 21:28–32). When asked by his father to go and work in his field, he immediately replied, “Yes, father,” but never acted upon it. He had a good intention, but it never translated into action, leaving him condemned in the parable.

The second thief believed he had endless time. This too is a refusal. Life is fragile, tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, and postponing repentance courts disaster. Death arrives “like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2). He recognized the need for change but wasted his chance by waiting for the perfect time that never arrived. His attitude echoes the prayer of St. Augustine in his youth: “Lord, make me chaste, but not yet.” A very fitting biblical parallel for the second thief is Felix, the Roman governor, to whom Paul preached the word of God in Acts 24:24–27. Felix was deeply moved when Paul spoke about faith, righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment. But his reply was, “‘That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you’” (Acts 24:25). Felix waited for a convenient moment that never came. They say the most powerful way Satan leads a person astray is by making him admit, “Yes, I have to change,” while at the same time whispering the tempting advice, “But not yet, not yet.”

The third thief wanted change, but he expected others to take the initiative. He waited for others to act first, leaving his transformation in someone else’s responsibility. He refused to take charge of his life and put his acts together. He decided to become a good person only if the rest of the world became good. The fact is that it only works the other way round. True change first occurs from within and spreads outside. Mahatma Gandhi beautifully put it: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” The biblical quote, “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” (Matthew 5:46), reflects the attitude of the third thief, whose goodness was dependent on the goodness of others.

Jesus teaches us that true virtue is not determined by how others act, but by choosing what is right simply because it is right. We are called to do good not merely in response to others’ goodness, but because it is the right and necessary thing to do—regardless of how others behave. If there is a need to change, one must change, no matter what others do or fail to do.

The fate of the three thieves behind bars recalls another thief in Scripture, the Good Thief on Calvary, who can be called the best example for how we should seize the moment, without dilly-dallying. With one bold prayer, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom,” he stole paradise from the hands of Jesus (Luke 23:42–43).

This story reminds us: right intention alone is not enough; there’s never a perfect time to turn to God, to forgive, or to love more deeply. If we wait for everything to be just right, we might wait forever. Tomorrow is not promised, so inaction costs more than making mistakes. Wisdom lies in acting when called, as real change happens only when we take action and commit to our decisions.

For personal reflection, we might ask ourselves:

• What decisions have I been postponing even though I know they are right?

• Am I waiting for approval, action, or an example from others instead of taking responsibility myself?

• What step can I take today, however small, that moves me toward the life I know I should live?

(Fr. Nilesh Parmar, SJ is an Indian Jesuit who has served tribal communities in North East for over 30 years. He is also a lyricist and composer with more than 100 published songs in English and Indian languages.)