Something strange and hard to explain happened during the christening of this boy. No one had ever seen a child scream, cry, and writhe so desperately before.
Panic swept through the church as everyone heard the childs shrieks while the vicar dipped him into the font. For a moment, those gathered thought the vicar might have used scalding water. The boys mother felt her heart breaking as she listened to her sons cries. She watched silently for a few minutes, unable to bear it any longer, before approaching her husband and quietly asking:
Excuse me, but when will this be over?
Still about fifteen minutes left.
Is there any way to speed this up? I cant just stand by and watch my child scream like this.
You know full well, if you interrupt the ceremony, it will be wasted. The child must be christened.
Look at how much hes suffering.
Yes, its true. But the cause isnt the christening itself, it lies elsewhere…
Where?
The cause is you and your husband.
What do you mean by that?
Were you married in church?
No, I wasnt she replied.
Your son is only a month old. So its likely he was conceived during Lent. Whats more, Id wager that youve had a termination in the past.
The mother lowered her eyes.
Did you do anything to atone for your sins? Did you go for confession?
The woman said nothing.
Well, theres your answer. Youve broken Gods command, and so not only you, but your son bears the consequence. If you want your son to be well, you must repent and strive to do better.
The mother began to sob uncontrollably, tears streaming down her cheeks. She returned to her family, and the child stopped crying. The vicar continued with the christening.
It seemed in that moment the parents sins had been lifted from the boy, for he did not cry anymore.
