"The Miracle Worker" by Eefje Savelkoul

A flash of light temporarily blinded all gathered in the church. When eyesight returned Jesus could be seen standing in the aisle, or someone bearing a strong resemblance to him.

"Dad says he shall do no such thing."

Aunt Marge screamed.

"Oh hush. While your hysterics are usually a source of great enjoyment for me, I would hate for them to interrupt me now. So if you would please just faint in silence, I would be grateful."

Aunt Marge fainted.

"Now, to prove you all that I am the real deal, I guess I better do some miracle work. Where's that goblet of wine you usually have?" He asked the pastor.

The pastor stood there dumbstruck, and pointed to the altar.

"Ah yes, now, you can all clearly see this is wine, no?" Jesus showed some people in the front row. "Now behold." He put his hand over the goblet, closed his eyes and concentrated. When he removed his hand the liquid underneath it was crystal clear. "There you go, water. I hope you can all appreciate the irony of this act." He looked around, nobody gave him the applause he seemed to want.

"Very well, about our recently deceased then. Yes, we've discussed things, and she's not going to heaven. Just thought you guys ought to know."

The pastor fell to his knees before Jesus, basking in the white light shining from him.

"Oh Lord, I am eternally grateful for your appearance, please hear our humble prayers. Will you not accept Miss Bingley into the kingdom of heaven? She was dearly loved in life and remains loved after death."

"We know, but Dad still doesn't want her. He's funny like that."

Janet began to cry. Jesus walked over to her.

"Don't worry dear, we don't want them to have her either."

"..Th...them?" She stammered before she knew it.

"Yes, them downstairs, you know, the evil one and his wretched minions. Horrible chap, don't really like him. We only send the really creepy ones down there anyway." He turned to uncle Hank, "So you've got nothing to worry about yet, not unless you start molesting children or murder someone. Mind you, we're still a bit put out with you."

Janet eyed Hank in shock and shuffled away from him. Then she started to cry hysterically, joining the chorus of those already doing that.

Bill Gardener, the old neighbour, looked like he was having a heart-attack.

Behind Jesus' right shoulder, a shimmering mist appeared, emanating a soothing glow of light. A soft, comforting voice spoke from it.

"Jesus, stop it. You're scaring them."

"I'm sorry, it's just been so long since we've taken an active role, I'm a bit giddy."

"Plenty of time to be giddy later, you're mean to them, don't do that. Besides, your father is waiting, and you know how impatient he can get."

"Easy for you to say, 'don't be giddy', you've been everywhere here, and don't have to deal with all these pesky human emotions."

"Hush, do what you came for, I'll calm them."

Jesus walked to the coffin of miss Bingley, which sprang open as he approached. Meanwhile, the mist spread over the church, and every human it touched became calmer. Bill Gardener seemed to be able to breathe again. Jesus looked at young miss Bingley, she was pretty.

"This should not have happened." He murmured. He reached into the coffin and held her hand delicately. Closing his eyes, he concentrated.

All those gathered in the church had become silent, the Holy Ghost had calmed them, reconnected them with their belief. Suddenly, a gasp could be heard from the coffin, with a startling speed, miss Bingley sat up and breathed as if her life depended on it, which it did.

Jesus opened his eyes to look into her bewildered ones.

"Rough ride? It's been a while since I've done this."

"What happened?" She asked in a frail, breathless voice.

"You died. But we didn't agree. It was not your time." He smiled kindly at her.

The pastor got up on his feet and walked over to them.

"A miracle...A real miracle!"

He looked at Jesus. "Lord, you have blessed us beyond our wildest dreams! How can we ever be worthy of such a blessing?" And he got down on his knees again to kiss the hem of Jesus' robe.

"You are worthy. Miss Bingley here is worthy. She, and you, would not have been chosen if it weren't so."

"I was dead?" Miss Bingley asked uncertain.

"Yes dear, you were. Best to wait a while for the dizziness to disappear though, having your soul pulled back into your body after a few days of deadness can be one mean ride."

The voice from the mist spoke again.

"Jesus, I think it's time to go now."

"Alright. Alright." He turned to the pastor, who was still kissing his robe. "Dear fellow, it's ok, you can stop that now. There you go, up you get. Now, pay attention, all of you." He turned to the entire church. "This is the beginning of a wonderful time. I am back, and not in a real hurry to die again for all your sins. Which means, you'll have to bear your own responsibility. Spread good. Be good people. You've all got it in you, act after it. And spread the word, Jesus walks the earth again."

He walked to the doors of the church, followed by the Holy Ghost.

"And remember, my friend here is always at your disposal. He lives in your hearts even more then I do." Then he waved. "A good day to you all."

When Jesus had left the church, everybody sat in silence. To stunned by what had happened. Janet was the first to act, with a shout of joy she ran to the coffin and hugged miss Bingley thight. "Alice! Alice you're not dead!"

Then the entire church burst into happy, joyous noise.