is the rest of the world.” He paused to let his meaning sink in before continuing. “If the Americans tell the world of this man and present him for the world to see, the impact on the Church would be immense. What this false Christ may say frightens me, because people will take it as the real words of Christ.
“Even if they are wrong and this is not a true copy of Christ; even if this is a fake and a fraud, announcing it to the world would still be disaster for us.”
He looked up into the Cardinal’s eyes and said firmly, “We cannot allow this to happen.”
For the first time, Cardinal Milanesi did not look perplexed or disbelieving. He looked scared.
Chapter 12: Meeting the Son of Man
“Now you have to understand a few things,” Dr. Fielding told the group. “Most importantly, do not tell him anything about the Christian church as it exists today. We have kept much of history from him. We wished to learn about him and his time. It is the opinion of Dr. Myers, as well as ourselves, that the impact of his learning how much has been done in his name would be a dangerous mental strain on him. He is still undergoing culture shock of being in our time. In fact, he doesn’t even know how much time has passed since his death. “
Juliette cut in with, “Some things we have had to explain. How we managed to get him here, for example. Which he accepts as magic. I’m sure he has no real concept of how much the world has changed. One time he saw an airliner pass high overhead, so we had to explain to him about airplanes. He was shocked that men could fly in the sky.”
“I am going to introduce you to him as friends of Dr. Myers, who he knows as Seymour and accepts that he is a learned rabbi. Dr. Myers is Jewish, but not actually a rabbi. There is no real concept for a college professor in Jesus’ experience, and rabbi fitted best.
“Oh, and, by the way, you should address him as ‘rabbi’ also. In his time, he acted much like a rabbi. He taught the rules of Judaism: the Torah. And, according to Dr. Myers, he was what we would call a radical preacher: his views differed from those of the established priesthood. But I’ll let you talk with Dr. Myers later. Right now, don’t ask questions. It’s not an interrogation session. You may shake hands with him, that is a universal gesture showing that you hold no weapon in your hand.”
Again Juliette added to the rules. “I don’t know your religious backgrounds, but please do not look like you’re worshiping him. Be respectful, he expects that, but don’t treat him like the Pope or some deity.”
“Remember,” Fielding added firmly, “this is not THE Jesus. Only an exact copy of him.”
At that point, another man entered the room. He was walking carefully, leaning on a cane made of hand-carved wood with a leaf pattern. He was nearly bald but had a full beard, although heavily gray. His face was lined with a slight squinting look like someone who had spent most of his life looking at books. Before Dr. Fielding could do so, he introduced himself.
“I am Dr. Myers but you may call me Seymour.” He held out his free hand to Tamara first. “Dr. Stryker, I don’t believe we’ve actually met. And this young lady must be Tamara Graves from the DOD or some government agency.”
“Correct... Seymour,” Tamara said, returning his smile.
“I understand you wish to meet our distinguished guest,” he said with a smile.
“I told them you would introduce them as friends of yours,” Fielding told him. “It will be a short introduction, nothing more.” The latter was directed at the others, even though he was looking at Dr. Myers.
Myers nodded. “That will be good. He has been wishing to meet more people as he heals.”
“Heals?” asked Stryker.
“Even if they are wrong and this is not a true copy of Christ; even if this is a fake and a fraud, announcing it to the world would still be disaster for us.”
He looked up into the Cardinal’s eyes and said firmly, “We cannot allow this to happen.”
For the first time, Cardinal Milanesi did not look perplexed or disbelieving. He looked scared.
Chapter 12: Meeting the Son of Man
“Now you have to understand a few things,” Dr. Fielding told the group. “Most importantly, do not tell him anything about the Christian church as it exists today. We have kept much of history from him. We wished to learn about him and his time. It is the opinion of Dr. Myers, as well as ourselves, that the impact of his learning how much has been done in his name would be a dangerous mental strain on him. He is still undergoing culture shock of being in our time. In fact, he doesn’t even know how much time has passed since his death. “
Juliette cut in with, “Some things we have had to explain. How we managed to get him here, for example. Which he accepts as magic. I’m sure he has no real concept of how much the world has changed. One time he saw an airliner pass high overhead, so we had to explain to him about airplanes. He was shocked that men could fly in the sky.”
“I am going to introduce you to him as friends of Dr. Myers, who he knows as Seymour and accepts that he is a learned rabbi. Dr. Myers is Jewish, but not actually a rabbi. There is no real concept for a college professor in Jesus’ experience, and rabbi fitted best.
“Oh, and, by the way, you should address him as ‘rabbi’ also. In his time, he acted much like a rabbi. He taught the rules of Judaism: the Torah. And, according to Dr. Myers, he was what we would call a radical preacher: his views differed from those of the established priesthood. But I’ll let you talk with Dr. Myers later. Right now, don’t ask questions. It’s not an interrogation session. You may shake hands with him, that is a universal gesture showing that you hold no weapon in your hand.”
Again Juliette added to the rules. “I don’t know your religious backgrounds, but please do not look like you’re worshiping him. Be respectful, he expects that, but don’t treat him like the Pope or some deity.”
“Remember,” Fielding added firmly, “this is not THE Jesus. Only an exact copy of him.”
At that point, another man entered the room. He was walking carefully, leaning on a cane made of hand-carved wood with a leaf pattern. He was nearly bald but had a full beard, although heavily gray. His face was lined with a slight squinting look like someone who had spent most of his life looking at books. Before Dr. Fielding could do so, he introduced himself.
“I am Dr. Myers but you may call me Seymour.” He held out his free hand to Tamara first. “Dr. Stryker, I don’t believe we’ve actually met. And this young lady must be Tamara Graves from the DOD or some government agency.”
“Correct... Seymour,” Tamara said, returning his smile.
“I understand you wish to meet our distinguished guest,” he said with a smile.
“I told them you would introduce them as friends of yours,” Fielding told him. “It will be a short introduction, nothing more.” The latter was directed at the others, even though he was looking at Dr. Myers.
Myers nodded. “That will be good. He has been wishing to meet more people as he heals.”
“Heals?” asked Stryker.
Similar Books
