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

391- The Traces of the Nails

 

St-Takla.org Image: Jesus Christ carrying the Holy Cross - Coptic art. صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: السيد يسوع المسيح يحمل الصليب المقدس - فن قبطي.

Matthew’s soul was bitter because of his son Philip. He tried all means but in vain. Philip neglected his studies and wasted his time. He was irresponsible and harsh in his talks. On Maundi Thursday, in the evening, Matthew entered his son’s room and presented him a large picture of Lord Jesus Christ Crucified, which Philip admired. He also gave him some thin nails saying, “Each time you sin, fix a nail in Jesus Christ’s crucified body and each time you truly repent, uproot a nail. Thus, you discover your weaknesses together with God’s mercies to you.”

On the end of the month, Philip noticed that the features of the picture had totally disappeared because of the nails. Philip wept bitterly offering a true repentance. He cried to God to support him and kindle his heart with the Holy Spirit. The father noticed a great change in his son’s life. When he entered his son’s room, he found only one nail fixed in the picture. He rejoiced, embraced his son and uprooted the last nail.

The son burst into tears. The father asked in great surprise, “Why do you weep that bitterly? Our Christ the Savior and Forgiver rejoices with the repentant.”

“I know but ... All the nails were erased but their traces still exist on the picture. He forgives my sins yet, the traces of the wounds remains in his body even after the Resurrection. I’ve crucified my Savior with my negligence for a long time.”

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: أثار المسامير.

+ Draw Your Cross before my eyes,

So that I would not forget Your extreme love.

+ Every time I commit sin, I fix a nail into your body.

While You, in Your love, are waiting for my salvation and glory.

+ Thank You O Forgiver.

I glorify You O Giver of glory.

Grant my insight to see Your wounds all the time.

“You ... before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified”

(Gal 3.1).

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