Manang Anita Barad, a fellow book enthusiast and a generous friend, gifted me with a book, entitled “Holy Blood, Holy Grail” by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln. It turned out that her gift is probably one of the most intriguing yet fascinating books I have ever read in my life.
From the moment I got hold of the book, I devoured its pages like a hungry dog to a bone, until finally, I turned the last page in record time. To say that it captivated me is an understatement. I was disturbed as I was scandalized with what I read, particularly the part where the authors advanced the theory that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and He did not die on the cross. It is their conjecture that Jesus lived on after the crucifixion and perpetuated his blood line where it propagates to this date. In time, his surviving heirs, called the Merovingians, will regain the throne of Jerusalem to install the rightful king. This, they conclude, is the meaning of the second coming of Christ.
Wow. To an uninitiated mind like mine, “Holy Blood, Holy Grail” is a challenge of faith. It runs counter to every tenet of what I learned about Jesus Christ. If I was living under the zeal of a religious dogma, I would say that what the book posts is blasphemous, sacrilegious, and sinful. Surely, Jesus Christ has reserved a place for the authors in the pits of hell. Imagine saying that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene? Imagine saying Him to have fathered children? Imagine Him not dying on the cross? It is unthinkable.
The foundation of Catholicism and all sects that identify themselves as Christians is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is in these two events that the foundation of our beliefs rests. It is in His death that we are redeemed and it is in His resurrection that we are saved.
Suppose Mr. Baigent, Mr. Leigh, and Mr. Lincoln are correct in saying that Jesus did not die on the cross, what would that make of us? Our religious aspirations and expectations are all for naught. We would have wasted much of our lives adoring someone who is a fraud. Our religion would have been in vain.
Yet, in terms of interest, “Holy Blood, Holy Grail” is a very intelligent reading material. It is a best seller. It is well-researched and well-written. The hypotheses advanced in its chapters are supported by facts. On that point, if I were a book reviewer, I would give an ace to the authors.
But that will not be the only compliment I would give the authors. I, too, shall give them the benefit of the doubt. After all, they made a disclaimer in the introduction of their book that it is not their intention to challenge Christianity nor to convert believers into non-believers. Theirs is merely to explore the realm of thought, to tell a compelling story in the same manner that Aesop would tell his fables.
There are two aspects of Jesus Christ that the writers want to portray. First is the Jesus of History which is external and second is the Jesus of Faith which is internal. The former is fair game and is open to scrutiny but the latter is personal and is beyond any doubt.
I harken to lean on the belief that my conviction in Jesus Christ will remain unshakable and unwavering because the object of my adoration is the Jesus of Faith. Thus, regardless of what I recently read, I assert that Jesus Christ conquered death and is the resurrected Savior of the world. This is the more logical option if I am to live a happy and faithful life.
Happy Easter to all.
April 27, 2024
