Smash and grab.

How does that phrase make you feel? What does it make you think?

A few months back I was in a jewelry store in a mall to get batteries replaced in a couple of watches. The gentleman said it would only take him about 10 minutes, so I waited.

Two masked guys came in and smashed the glass of a display to steal the jewelry.

The gentleman who was working on my watches came around the counter yelling at them and a terrible fight happened. One of the robbers had a knife.

It was very frightening.

The gentleman ended up with a concussion, torn rotator cuff requiring shoulder surgery, and cuts and bruises.

The two committing the crime were arrested – neither one looked over the age of 20.

This past weekend I had to go to the same mall to pick something up.

I felt fear.

I thought about the two young men who did that.

How did they get to the point that they thought it was OK to commit a crime like that? To beat another human being like that?

I though about the people who videoed it on their smartphones, some smiling as they did so.

How did crime and seeing people hurt become entertaining?

"From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile." Mark 7:21-23

In this coming Sunday’s Gospel reading Jesus tells me the answer to my how’s and why’s.

Some people lose goodness, decency, integrity, honestly, kindness, and truth in their thoughts and in their hearts. Maybe even any concept of God as well.

Then evil words and actions happen.

Lord, I lift those two young men who committed that crime to You in prayer.

I lift the people who laughed while videoing it to You in prayer.

And Lord, I humbly lift myself to You in prayer and ask you to forgive me for the negative thoughts I sometimes have.

Please fill all our minds and hearts with Your peace, goodness, and love.

Blessings to you!