Ordinarily, I'm skeptical when supernatural images magically appear on everyday objects. To me, such manifestations are perfectly explicable run-of-the-mill instances of pareidolia. [Pareidolia: the tendency, inherent in the human brain, to discover patterns (e.g. faces) in random markings.] No matter how intently I peer and squint, I simply cannot find the blessed virgin and her child in the Ritz cracker. Nor in the stump of that felled yew in Donegal nor in the water stain on the Samoan wall nor on the broken storm window in Jesup, Georgia and certainly not in the miraculous bird dropping on the rear view mirror of a pickup in Bryant, Texas. Not even in the revered and legendary 1978 Mexican tortilla. I am also willing to confess that although I haven't seen it with my own eyes, I remain unpersuaded by the internationally-celebrated image of Jesus in the partially-eaten toasted cheese sandwich that is reported to have sold on Ebay for $28,000 and is now framed and publicly exhibited in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino of Hollywood, Florida, where it amuses the agnostics and wows the credulous.
In my conception, if the Ancient of Days had wanted to impress an image of his very own filius unigenitus or of JC's tender and mild mom on breadstick or bagel, cornbread or challah, he would have the made the representation clear and distinct — certainly not subject to dispute or interpretation or doubt or skepticism. That's the way the Big Guy in the sky should operate when he's at the top of his omnipotent game.
Which brings me to the illustration above, where, when you point and click, you will encounter in sharp detail a complete and perfect menorah incontrovertibly etched, this Hanukkah season, on the port side of a zebra. No ifs, ands, buts, or pareidolia.
Why a zebra, a creature not mentioned in the Holy Book? Well, once again, the L-rd moves in mysterious ways. If He chooses a zebra, who are We to question his mighty decision?
Moreover, there's absolutely no question but that His menorah on a zebra beats His Jesus on a toasted cheese sandwich all to heck.
Just sayin'.
Unless perhaps the Lord of Hosts uses photoshop?
Leave a Reply