274- A Train Falling into a River

Thomas came complaining to his father confessor about the evil thoughts he was suffering from. He struggled so hard to fight them but failed. The priest noticed that Thomas concentrated on his own abilities and efforts and his faith was weakening. He was not seeing the cross as God’s power to salvation. That is why the priest spoke to him about the power of Jesus’ precious blood in making all life holy, including thoughts, words, and behavior. Then he narrated the following story to him:

A train, coming from Kingstown, North Carolina, U.S.A., derailed and fell into a river while crossing a bridge. An investigation of the train conductor and the signalman found a surprising result. While they both insisted that they did nothing wrong, their testimonies were confirmed by witnesses. So what caused the train to derail and fall into the river? According to the conductor, the flag raised from the signal box was white, meaning the track was clear and he could proceed but suddenly, he realized that part of the bridge was opened. As he tried to brake, there was not enough room and the front of the train along with two cars fell into the river. Farmers from the vicinity did their best to save people but could only save 35.

So why was the signal given for the train to proceed? Again, the signalman and his witnesses insisted that the red flag was raised for the train to stop. The conductor, who was hurt badly in the accident, insisted that he saw a white flag. Finally, the investigator asked to see the flag box himself. He discovered that the red flag was so old, that the color had faded so much and it looked almost white from afar and that was the cause behind the accident.

After finishing the story, the priest commented on it saying, “When the cross fades in the eyes of a Christian he cannot say,

“And his banner over me was love” (Song 1.4).

When we look toward the cross all the time, we are capable of making our thoughts, and even our whole lives holy. We would be able then to say,

“Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified” (Gal. 3.1).

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: اندفاع قطار في نهرٍ.

God, Your cross is the secret behind my life.

Let me portray it and contemplate on it all the time,

So that my thoughts, my heart and my life would be holy.

Instill Your cross in me and let me be carried by the Holy Spirit,

So that I can live with You at Golgotha,

And enjoy Your resurrection, You, the Savior of my soul.

The Millionaire Beggar

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

A Person’s Opinion of his Father