New scene from "The son of Man."

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The meal arrived and was consumed over more small talk until finally Bishop Hickie directed the attention to Blaze. Blaze reached into a briefcase and pulled out a laptop computer, quickly made the connections, and a picture of Jim’s DNA banding patterns suddenly appeared on the wall.2

“What you’re looking at,” Blaze began, “are the results of two independently tested DNA samples, specifically, two minuscule samples of blood that have been found to be genetically identical. They were both processed by our own Dr. Donahue here so we know they’re genuine.” 3

Perez glanced at Jim.4

“The sample labeled ‘A,’” Blaze continued, “is a sample of blood tissue taken from the Shroud of Turin—”5

Suddenly a monster clap of thunder rocked the building. It sounded like lightning struck just outside the window. The irony hadn’t escaped any of them.6

“Nice touch,” Jim said, getting a chuckle. Blaze was wondering if he shouldn’t start again when Perez spoke up.7

“The Shroud of Turin has been proven to be a fake.”8

“Actually,” Jim said, raising his eyebrows, “they thought it was a fake. I’ve heard there’s some question as to the validity of the carbon dating. They’re now thinking fungus on the Shroud may have tainted the sample.”9

“That’s exactly right,” Blaze said, pointing at Jim. He clicked the mouse and a picture of the man on the cloth appeared, then he continued. “At any rate, my friends, whatever can be said about its origins, there is real blood on the Shroud. We know that for a fact.”10

“Could be anyone’s blood,” Jim said, shuffling in his seat.11

“I disagree,” Blaze answered. “I think we can pin this blood down to one very important source.”12

He maneuvered the mouse to point at several spots on the picture. Jim grinned skeptically, but remained silent.13

“This is what we know about the Shroud of Turin,” Blaze continued. “There are images on the Shroud of many objects, not just those of the body. Markings that appear to be impressions of a crucified man, front and back. The cloth was folded over itself, half above the man, the other half below. The man’s wounds are consistent with the wounds inflicted upon Jesus during his torture leading up to his crucifixion. There appear to be wounds around the hairline, matching the description of the crown of thorns—“14

“Whoa now,” Jim interrupted. “With all due respect, Blaze ol’ buddy, these observations are biased—clearly. They look like a bunch of little smudges to me.”15

“Please Jim,” Blaze said, holding up one hand. “Bear with me.”16

Jim smiled and looked at Dr. Perez, then looked around the room at the other men. They sat silently looking on.17

“Even if these allegations are true,” Dr. Perez said, breaking his silence, “that the Shroud could be traced back to the time and place in question, there is no evidence that it, or this blood sample ever belonged to Jesus. I can’t speak for Dr. Donahue, but if it’s some sort of confirmation or— endorsement you are after…”18

“No, no, Dr. Perez,” Blaze said. “Nothing like that, I assure you—”19

“Hey, wait a minute, wait a minute!” Jim said, interrupting Blaze mid-sentence. “What about the other sample? Where did you get the other sample, Blaze?”20

“Ah, yes,” Blaze answered slowly, “the other sample.” He clicked the mouse. The picture on the wall changed to a wooden altar, painstakingly decorated with what looked like a sculpture of the Last Supper. It showed the altar flanked left and right by exquisitely detailed paintings.21

“What you are looking at,” Blaze explained, “are pictures of the Holy Blood Altar located in a church in Rothenberg, Germany. It’s one of the sites included on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Other than that, it’s relatively unknown. However, in the west choir loft, there’s an altarpiece containing a very special relic—a capsule housing three drops of Christ’s blood.”22

“No--,” Jim said. “Is this for real? Are you telling us the other sample is from this church? Where did it come from—the blood I mean? Are you sure?”23

“Jim,” Blaze answered, “these are the two samples you processed. I swear to you.”24

“How were you able to procure this sample, Father Jenkins?” Perez asked. “Can the blood from the altar be traced back?”25

“Back to Philip the Second of Spain,” Blaze answered. “Then to his grandparents, Ferdinand and Isabella; independent, verifiable writings from Constantine mentioning the blood and claiming Saint Steven himself as the original source.”26

“Where the sample from the church came from is not the issue,” Jim said, looking at Perez. “The point is, the blood on the Shroud of Turin is the same blood as the blood in Germany. What are the odds?”27

“Exactly,” Blaze said, pointing at Jim. “I think we must all agree, if these two independent genetic samples are a match—and if both of these blood traces can be traced back to the time of Christ, the odds are raised considerably. What we are dealing with is the actual blood of Jesus Christ.28

Jim sat staring at Perez, then turned back toward Blaze. Blaze smiled and continued.29

“Now, in order for me to go on, I’ll have to refer to the Bible.” He reached into his case.30

“Really Blaze, I—” Jim stammered.31

“Jim,” Blaze said. “You two have come all this way, now please, hear me out.”32

Jim raised an eyebrow and sat back in his seat. The two doctors exchanged glances again. Finally, Jim looked back at Blaze, shrugged and gestured for him to continue.33

“In order to fully grasp what I’m trying to tell you,” Blaze said, “you have to understand the staggering importance of this particular blood. The writers of the Bible, both old and new testaments, were absolutely obsessed with the subject of blood, and for very good reason. The obsession started in genesis when Cain killed able. It wasn’t his kidneys crying out from the ground it was his blood. The entire book of Leviticus deals almost exclusively with the proper way to sacrifice the blood of animals. It was something to be done strictly by the book or face banishment or even death.”34

He found Exodus 30:10.35

‘And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD.’36

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“The Hebrew’s were strictly forbidden from eating blood,” Blaze continued. “The reason the blood was not to be eaten is explained in Leviticus 17:14…”38

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‘For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.’40

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“The blood was considered holy because they thought the blood contained the life… In the New Testament Jesus himself refers to his own blood.”42

He looked up 1 Corinthians 11:25. 43

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‘After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.’ 45

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“Not only were the writers of the old and new testaments obsessed with this blood,” Blaze continued, “but Christians, to this day, sing songs each Sunday describing how they have been redeemed by the blood of the lamb.”47

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Blaze moved the mouse to the DNA banding patterns. “This blood gentlemen, “What you are looking at is the actual blood of the lamb!”49

He put the mouse on its pad, clasped his hands behind him then he continued. “We belong to a very large and diverse group of people we collectively call the Vinces. We are literally a reincarnation of an ancient sect known as the ‘In hoc signo vinces,’ Which is the Latin translation of the Greek phrase meaning ‘in this sign you will conquer. While the Catholic 50

Church does not sanction us we are well represented in Rome. Suffice it to say, we have people in high places.51

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Two years ago, we were made aware of an archaeological find in a cave in Egypt. The find is a papyrus scroll dating back to around 65 B.C. It’s the book of Job, perfectly preserved except for one verse.” Looking at his Bible, he read Job 16:18.53

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‘O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.’55

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He reached and clicked the mouse. A picture of the scroll appeared complete with translation. “According to this scroll, that scripture isn’t complete.” He directed the mouse to the bottom of the picture and the translated verse, then he read out loud.57

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‘O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place, for as the branch of a fig tree bringeth forth life anew, So shalt the Lamb be renewed. For behold, in those days my blood shall renew me.’59

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The room was silent. Blaze opened his computer bag and pulled out several sheets of paper. He placed them on the table in front of him, then proceeded with his concluding summary.61

“Traditional Christianity holds that all biblical reference to blood sacrifice points to Christ, who Himself was the final sacrifice. We of the Vinces believe that the overwhelming reference to the blood of Christ points prophetically to our own time, to this very undertaking. That means the conclusion of both the Old and New Testaments, the final chapter, will be written here in this very room. What we are talking about is…the second coming of Christ.”62

Jim looked at Perez then back at Blaze. “Tell me you people aren’t thinking about cloning Jesus Christ,” he said evenly.63

“Jim, we believe we’ve been given a mandate,” Blaze answered. He lifted his Bible, “We’ve clearly been given a sign from God— it’s all right here—”64

Perez leapt to his feet, his chair banging against the wall. “This is absolutely outrageous!” he yelled. “You people have brought me all this way in an attempt to recruit me into this madness? I’ll have no part of it, do you hear? No part!”65

“Dr. Perez,” Bishop Hickie said, rising to his feet. “Please, hear us out. This is the most important undertaking—”66

Perez whirled and blasted out the door leaving Bishop Hickie staring after him.67

“Don’t worry,” the mayor said. “There are plenty of others.”68

“But what if he tells someone?” the Bishop said.69

“No one will believe him,” the mayor answered.70

The room fell silent. Jim looked at the men sitting around the table. “You people can’t be serious,” he said softly. “Cloning human beings is a major negative—you should know that. It’s illegal now, and for damn good reason. Each animal cloned today represents hundreds of failures. Most clones are stillborn. The ones that live are likely to have horrendous mutations, many of which manifest themselves later in life, usually killing the animal prematurely. What are we gonna do with the mutated Baby Jesus’— throw them away? And what happens if we are successful, and we get a perfectly healthy baby? What then? What kind of life can he have? For the love of God … people will think he’s Jesus!”71

“People won’t know, Jim,” Mayor Binghamton said. “That’s why we have taken these precautions. That’s why we’re here in this private room instead of at Cambridge.”72

“Maria will be the baby’s mother, Jim,” Blaze said from the other side of the table. “We’ll see to their every need, they’ll live anonymously—”73

“Maria?” Jim interrupted, “the girl in the lobby?”74

“Maria has volunteered to—”75

“Oh my God, Blaze!”76

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