In Reverse…

Holy relics, especially in the middle ages, were very lucrative business opportunities. Some would even say: crimes of opportunity.

Here’s one that has a modicum of reality to it. For one thing, there are three versions of the same phrase. Traditionally, the title is supposed to read: ‘Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews’ represented by the initials INRI (after the Latin): a mouthful, to be sure. This title, shown above, is more succinct, or maybe the phrase is truncated. “Nazarene” seems to be the prominent word.

The second thing that seems significant is the display in reverse: the front of this document would have faded over time, leaving only the imprint of the lettering. And this would have been especially true if the title was still attached to the wood of the cross.

Faith is a very subjective experience. But, every once in a while, the Universe gives us a glimpse of the truth. This may have been one of those moments.