Something strange and utterly bewildering unfolded during the christening of this boy. No one had ever witnessed a child scream, wail, and writhe so wildly before.
The church was thrown into panic as the boys screams echoed through the ancient stone nave, while the vicar lowered him into the baptismal font. For a moment, those gathered imagined the vicar had dipped the child into heated water. The boys mothers heart ached with every desperate cry. She watched silently for several agonising minutes, but when she could endure no more, she approached her husband and whispered, barely audible above the commotion:
Excuse me, but when will this be over?
Another fifteen minutes, love.
Cant we possibly hasten things, John? I cant bear to stand by and watch him like this.
You know full well, if we interrupt, the sacrament wont count. Our boy must be christened properly.
But look at him, hes suffering.
Yes, I know. But it isnt the baptism itselfits something else
What do you mean?
Its you and your husband.
I beg your pardon?
Did you marry in church?
No, we didnt, she replied softly.
Your son is just one month old. Perhaps you conceived him during Lent, didnt you? And before that, perhaps you sought other solutions
The mother lowered her gaze in shame.
Have you done anything for atonement? Have you confessed?
She stayed silent, words failing her.
Well, there you have it. You broke the law of God, and now not only you, but your son bears the burden. If you wish for him to find peace, seek repentance and strive to be better.
Tears streamed down the mothers cheeks as she began to sob, bitterly. She returned to her family, and almost instantly, the boys cries faded into calm. The vicar continued with the baptism.
In that moment, it seemed as if the child had been freed of the burdens his parents carried, for his screams ceased and peace settled over the chapel.
