‘Thou shalt not steal’: Even someone else’s joy, says one educator

Small things loom large in Catera Scott’s world. A smile, while requiring so little, can bring hope. A turn of phrase, while just dialect to one listener, represents familiarity and even comfort to another. And while some see math as just numbers, math equals opportunity to Ms. Scott.

Ms. Scott sees the power of small things – and she sees what happens when they’re missing. She’s determined to do her part to prevent that.

“Without thinking, we may steal people’s joy. We may steal people’s voice,” says Ms. Scott at the church where her husband is pastor.

She spoke to the Monitor about the Eighth Commandment – Thou shalt not steal (Exodus 20:15) – as part of our series on the Ten Commandments, which explores the ways in which these ancient religious principles continue to matter in modern life.

While the taking of property