Redeemed in the Shadows

It all begins with the portrait of a Jewish family, nestled in a small Galilean village called Nain. The family comprises a father, Lucius, a loving mother named Salome, two sons, Ananias and Manaen, and a tender-hearted daughter, Delilah. They are shepherds and humble farmers, tilling the earth with their own hands. Nain, situated about 30 miles southwest of Capernaum at a lofty 700 feet above sea level, requires an arduous uphill climb to reach. A journey from Capernaum to Nain is no small feat, taking at least one or two days of strenuous travel. Tragedy strikes when a severe illness befalls Salome, leading to a heart-wrenching and dramatic demise. Her loss leaves a void in the family, one that cannot easily be filled. After a few months, Lucius, now a widower with young children, decides to remarry. His new wife, Eve, proves to be a kind-hearted woman who brings a new son into the family, whom they name Dismas. However, tensions brew among the boys, particularly Ananias, who regards Dismas with suspicion, fearing that the newcomer has come to steal their father's affections. In stark contrast, Delilah showers Dismas with love and tenderness. The brothers soon christen Dismas with the nickname "the thief" from his very first day of life, sowing the seeds of a contentious relationship. They hatch plots against him, taunting him for his peculiar silence, a manifestation of deep-seated psychological issues. In contrast, his father, mother, and sister envelop him with love and care. Dismas's fifteenth year ushers in a sinister plot. Ananias and Manaen steal a cherished family heirloom, a symbol of their grandfather's legacy, and frame Dismas for the theft. Threatened and coerced, Dismas succumbs to their pressure, falsely admitting guilt to spare himself. Enraged, their father disowns Dismas, prompting him to flee from home one fateful night. While fleeing, Dismas collapses, striking his head on a rock. In a stroke of fortune, a benevolent trader named Abel in route to Capernaum discovers the unconscious young man and offers aid, nursing his wound. To Everyone's astonishment, Dismas gradually regains the power of speech under Abel's care. But fate takes a cruel turn when bandits ambush the two, resulting in Abel's death and Dismas's capture. This Event marks the beginning of a new chapter in Dismas's life. Captured by the thieves, Dismas is thrust into a world of crime. He undergoes training in thievery, reluctantly acquiring the skills but always harboring a yearning for escape. Gestas, the gang chief, was Dismas's cousin but never met him. The gang was caught by the Romans because they assassinated a Jewish woman who, with her children, was travelling from Jerusalem to Joppa. Dismas sheltered and helped the Holy Family to escape to Egypt. Mary told him that he was going to meet them in another and more tragical circumstances. But Dismas did not pay attention to this prophecy. One fateful day, while attempting to pilfer food from the Roman army's supplies, Dismas is captured. The Romans, aware of his history, sentence him to death by crucifixion at the age of 45. On being arrested, Dismas confessed everything. Dismas and Gestas were imprisoned for a long time before being brought to trial. Finally, Pilate gave the order that they should be taken to Jerusalem to be judged. Pilate sentenced both to death by crucifixion. Dismas's mother Eve, still alive, tried to get the mercy of Pilate and implored in vain for a less painful and humiliating punishment. But Dismas and Gestas were hand and feet cuffed and thrown in a horrible prison in Jerusalem. Just before his execution, Dismas was cruelly flagellated. On the road to Calvary, Dismas could have witnessed the miracle of Veronica and that could have marveled him. Together, they face the same grim destiny as Jesus the Christ, all three to be crucified side by side.