If Jesus came back

By Gail Dawson McNally
author

I'm hardly a student of the bible, but in my own endless questioning of catholic rules and dogma, including the old Baltimore Catechism, my mother instructed me not to think about it so much - rather, to just have faith. I pray for that faith but it remains elusive. Having a sometimes inpatient nature, I wonder at times why Christ won't come back; won't give us some concrete evidence that he at least thinks about us now and then. In contemplating this, there is hardly a shred of evidence that he ever existed and that all the miracles attributed to Jesus are the fantasies of numerous holy men who have tried diligently to keep the human race on a righteous path. Despite this lack of confirmation, something like 85% of us adhere, in various degrees of fervency to the hope of eternal life, which, among most Christians, includes a final judgment. I feel full of 'grace', the undeserved goodness of God, but wish for the faith I witness in others regarding the biblical tales and gospels and numerous writings I have agreed to accept but so often doubt.

And so I pray. We all pray to make things right according to concepts of love and service to God taught to us from childhood. And, despite the events of religiously related cruelty and torment viewed each day throughout the world, we pray that all will be ultimately well and reflective of Christ's humble righteousness. I am always delighted when I hear, "my prayers have been answered," when friends cite instances in which prayer has been responsible for saving lives, healing the sick and, even settling wars.

Bible advocates believe that God (or those He has spoken through), has said all He's going to say. I have difficulty with this and believe that we need Him more than ever. And so in a scenario that supposes an imminent loss of the church, I pursue a story that forces Christ's return. In my novel, "The Return" I justify the ultimate decision by a handful within the Vatican to bend to a crucial gamble - to bring forth a return of Christ in order to save Christianity in an Islamic threatened world.

But, would a return of Jesus be possible or plausible? The genesis of my tale sprung from late night post-party religious conversations (when political discussions were not fruitful) in which we fantasized returns of Christ that might be believable: At half time during the Super Bowl? No: Walking down Wall Street on a sunny morning? No: Entering a major basilica or cathedral during Easter Sunday services? Maybe, but how many would believe? In the highly accepted Marian apparitions, i.e. Fatima, Lourdes and Guadalupe, Mary only appeared to children, poor children, always poor children. Understanding the common sense of her appearances, my story follows suit as my Jesus does not arrive in the bedlam of the Middle East, but with technical assistance, floats down to a small island off the pacific coast of Panama to a sparse community of mostly simple fishermen.

If you learned that Jesus Christ was here or was going to appear in a remote place would you hasten to see him? And your expectations? If given the chance, what would you ask him? And, as is sometimes asked by military leaders anticipating success, "and then what?" Let us be honest. We simply don't know but I believe we would be optimistic.

In the Catholic "Credo" we say; "On the third day He rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father." I'm hopeful that even a small portion wonder as myself, what does he do all day? Is Christ reliving another lifetime on a million other planets? Does he feel anguish for the mess here on earth that is, arguably, the result of our belief in him?

So what must we do dear Jesus, to lure you back? Turn this endlessly warring planet into the utopia of peace and brotherhood you preached, or should we increase our endless sinning to force your intercession?

Are we perhaps better off simply visualizing the paradise we wish for; better off not knowing, and accepting the teaching that we are too puny to 'get it'?

My novel, against all odds, has an unusual ending but one that is hopeful. It is, I pray, a non- blasphemous positive outcome of a hypothetical heavenly visit. I have filled it with the love and conflicts of a host of characters.

One final thought. During Holy Week, churches throughout the world commemorate the events of Christ's last days. Although reviled throughout the Christian world, had Judas not succumbed to Roman pressure and become the great betrayer, Christ may have received only a light punishment for his disruptive actions during Passover, and avoided crucifixion, an all too common fate in those days. God's plan however, required Judas and one wonders how that figures into Judas' final judgment. Without him how would our faith unfolded? Don't we wish we could ask Christ?

Possibly some of us have a curious sympathy for Judas and in a show of the forgiveness we are constantly asked to demonstrate, we also have a child-like hope for something less frightening than the scenario of sheer terror of the end of time.

Gail Dawson McNally is author of "The Return: Christ Has Died, Christ Has Risen, Christ Will Come Again." She is a graduate of Centenary College for Women. She has worked for the Central Intelligence Agency in Panama and for the Department of Defense. She has written extensively on issues facing Central and South America.

By Gail Dawson McNally |  March 30, 2010; 4:17 PM ET Save & Share:                 
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