The Two Thieves on the Cross

The two thieves appear to be representatives of two opposing directions. One of them founders on the cross; the other is raised up by it. The story of the repentant thief does not teach that every scoundrel can finally slip into the kingdom of heaven through a back door, but it does contain the comfort that even at death conversion is still possible. 

Nevertheless, this conversion is so unique as to be an exception, and it warns us not to postpone turning to God. Some people deceive themselves terribly by imagining that…