In Newport, Rhode Island, an Episcopal Church is the scene
of the latest Jesus miracle, hoax, or mistake.
At St. John the Evangelist Church, a red stain keeps appearing on the
wall under a picture of Jesus on the Cross, giving the appearance of blood
coming from Jesus’s wounds. It’s been
removed and painted over numerous times, but it keeps coming back. People are flocking to see it, and the
church’s rector, the Reverend Nathan Humphrey, while not actively promoting
this, is not discouraging it and even said in an interview that it is an
opportunity to start someone on the road to finding Jesus and a chance for the
church to obtain more members. While
admitting that this is “certainly not what they lead you to expect in
seminary,” he calls it a “sign of the holy presence.”
Of course there have been reactions: The
stain may be caused by a leaking rusty pipe or maybe it is a prank (not as good
as crop circles, but pranksters have to work with what is available). Father Humphrey is not only theologically
incorrect (which for a priest is even worse than being politically incorrect),
but is exploiting the people who are coming to see it. The Bishop of his diocese should stop being a
wimp and straighten him and everyone else out.
That this could happen is a sign of what is wrong with the Church. And from the Episcopalians: Where is the
reason that is part of Episcopal doctrine?
Why is it reasonable to believe that God is always with us
and knows every hair on our heads and not reasonable to believe that there might be a possibility that this is, if not a miracle, a sign?
My feelings about it are mixed. It probably is a water stain, but wouldn’t it
be neat if it weren’t? God is too much
for most people contemplate, but little miracles aren’t. I know, I know. Life is a miracle, Niagara Falls is a
miracle. Butterflies are miracles. I am a miracle. And so on.
Yes, but as grateful as we are for all these things, how could a little
blood dripping from a picture hurt anything?
(I have to admit that it has caused some people to call those who come
to see it “stupid” and probably worse.
Nice talk for Christians.)
People do not want The Church or Christianity to smack of
superstition. (Hasn’t that boat sailed?) But why can’t we enjoy the fact that we still
have enough open-mindedness and a remnant of wonder to think a sign or a
miracle is possible? Isn’t belief or
the willingness to believe that something comes from God at least a step to
believing more? Faith is fragile. Anything that can strengthen it is
welcome.
I’m not saying that this is a miracle or sign. To me, that isn’t important. What is important is that people have the
desire to believe and the belief that they can.
