Hi Metmom,
Good to cross threads again - hope all is well w/ you n yours.
I can understand being skeptical but the Shroud is unique in history and without any way to scientifically explain and/or re-produce it. It is one of the few things, uniquely catholic [?] that I still cling to from my upbringing. As far as only Catholic tradition [possibly they just happen to end up with an authentic relic?] the Bible does mention both a shroud and facial burial cloth and was also traditional to Jewish burial history.
If it helps your faith any [I was either taught at a young age or always imagined] the image was burned into the cloth as Jesus was bodily resurrected, so maybe most all the disfigurement on the facial image was miraculously restored. Well God is all-powerful and everything miraculous does require that leap of faith, doesn’t it? The science does indicate the body of the image was badly beaten and had all the markings of a crucifixion.
Also have you watched the link I provided on my previous post in this thread? The new scientific research and findings are absolutely astounding imho.
Another thing, I now find my self realizing if his looks before and after resurrection are completely transformed [I do expect all of us to be recognizable to other fellow believers but completely transformed, sanctified and perfected but uniquely and Godly - in every way upon death and resurrection] - so wouldn’t that apply all the more for Jesus earthly image of either average or lesser appeal before to one as perfected like the little girl drew. If ‘the eyes be the windows to the soul’ then Jesus eyes would be truly beautiful, unique and dazzling beyond description.
Also if God offered to ‘take your picture’ - would you want it to be before or after a similar bodily resurrection?
Just thinking out loud but also I don’t think anyone should consider this image a violation of the 2nd commandment - man didn’t create it and it is an abstract image of the Christ not God [the 1st person of the trinity]...
The Shroud is fascinating, no doubt about it.
I guess the thing that causes me to consider it less than others people do is that even if it were real, it would not convince the skeptic.
People believe or don’t believe because they CHOOSE to, not because they can’t or there isn’t enough evidence.
Abraham told the rich man in Hades that if they didn’t listen to Moses, even if someone were raised from the dead that his brothers wouldn’t believe anyway.