If the thief were not about, we would take our lives for granted. No wonder Christ makes bold to identify himself with a thief. But the only thing this Thief seeks to steal is our hearts. We need not fear that the Thief will carry away what we love. Rather, he comes to carry us away with his love.
Advent anticipates that.
He will come to steal me away very gently. I'm not afraid of the Thief. The season of Advent is a graced time to steel ourselves so that nothing will steal away the joy of our living in Christ's enlivening light. Jesus the Thief comes to us this Advent, not to take anything from us, but to keep us from taking our lives for granted. How blessed we are to celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary as one of the first graces of the Advent season.