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Short Stories (Stories for the Youth), book by Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty

127- He’s my Son, I’m Willing to Kiss his Feet

 

St-Takla.org Image: Jesus Christ with a young girl. صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: السيد يسوع المسيح مع طفلة صغيرة.

Father Pishoy Kamel was known for his practical love that was shown in dealing with people. In the early sixties, as I entered the courtyard of the church, I saw a newly married young man who was calling Father Pishoy names. This was before the Saturday vespers; I led him to a room and calmed him down. I asked him to go home till things calm down.

I expected that the news would reach Father Pishoy. After the vespers and confessions, I said to Father Pishoy, “The young man was upset. He was mad and I asked him to go home and cool down. He’d like to apologize for his behavior.”

Instead of going home, Father Pishoy asked me to go to the house of the angry man saying, “He’s my son and I’m willing to kiss his feet.”

I was glad to see his love to his children. The young man was surprised by our visit and bent down to kiss father’s feet but Father Pishoy pulled him, hugged him and said, “I owe you an apology.”

This made the young man cry. This is a true Christian love shown by Father Pishoy.

One of the things that Father Pishoy did not like is “The honor of the clergy”. He considered that the honor of the priest is in being willing to wash the feet of sinners with great love. He felt he was not worthy of serving the Lord Jesus in His children.

Let me see You in the life of each sinner.

Let me see You longing for washing his/her feet,

Offering Your precious blood to clean his inner being.

Let me offer my life for every soul.

Let me have the dignity of serving You, washing the sinners’ feet.

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: أنا مستعد أن أُقبِّل قدميه.

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