This story is a story that I created, adapted from other sources. Be blessed as you read it.
The Son Who Hated His Father
“Hi John,” the priest greeted his favorite nephew.
“Fr. Chris,” the young man said, his voice betraying his troubled soul.
The cleric felt so much pity for the teen. “I heard you’re having problems with your father.”
A frown formed on John’s face. “You know him. He’s your brother. You know he’s impossible to deal with. He’s so selfish. He’s so cruel…” He fought back his tears.
“Tell you what, son,” the priest tried to sound encouraging, “let’s pray for him.” He stood up and pinned the photo of the boy’s father on the wall.
“What’s that?” John asked. The sight of his father’s face stung him. He clenched his fists.
The priest said, “It’s just a way to help us pray for him. It’ll be our visual connection to your father.”
“But I don’t want to pray for him!” the young man shouted.
At that moment, the phone rang. “Excuse me, son,” Fr. Chris said, “let me answer this call and I’ll get back to you right away.” He left the room.
John found himself alone, staring at the photo of a man he despised with his entire being. Seething with rage, he saw a knife on the kitchen counter. On impulse, he grabbed it and ran back to the photo of his father. “I hate you!” he screamed, and stabbed the photo many, many times.
That was when Fr. Chris ran back. “Oh my God…,” The priest said, as he could only look in horror.
His energy spent, John thrust the knife into the photo one last time.
He took one step backward, panting.
“John, I had other photos there,” Fr. Chris said.
“What?” The young man looked at the priest.
Fr. Chris walked to the wall and removed the damaged photo.
John couldn’t believe his eyes.
Because underneath it was John’s photo. Also torn.
The priest explained. “After praying for your father, I wanted to pray for you, John.”
The young man looked at his damaged photo. His face was torn, punctured by the same stabbing he himself made.
Tears rolled down his cheeks.
But even as his vision blurred, John noticed that there was something else behind his torn photo.
He pulled it off the wall.
Underneath his photo was the picture of Jesus, His face, also torn, also wounded.
And John collapsed on his knees, and wept for a long time.
