[metmom]

The miracle is not in the Bible because the Gospel of Thomas, although long known, is regarded as not canonical. I heard the story of Jesus as a boy making birds of clay come to life about sixty years ago in Catholic elementary school, with the admonition that it may not have been true.

Then it should never have been taught as possibly true.

When Catholicism treats something like that as feasible, Catholics should stop wondering why their religion has no credibility as far as Scripture goes.

[Rockingham]

The story of Jesus bringing clay birds to life was related only as a story, nothing more. We would no doubt hear of it again, of course, and we had to know that it was not in the Bible.

Could the story be true? Who knows? It makes us think though of Jesus as a human boy, poised for small mischief like even good boys are by their nature.

The story is also about St. Joseph, chiding Jesus to remember and obey the Sabbath, but he does so without being wrathful and punitive. Surely there are fathers who would do better to take more of that approach to the inevitable misdeeds of their children.