Virtual Jesus

We dodge religion like vampires shrink from garlic toast, and it’d take a Supreme Being-size miracle to lure us back.

Jesus Christ, here’s one now!

The Son of God Himself is scheduled to appear at 8 and 11:30 a.m. Sunday, May 25, at Scottsdale’s City of Grace, 9610 East Cactus Road. (He’ll be at the church’s Mesa campus, 655 East University Drive, at 10 a.m.) Okay, it’s not really the Big Dude, but someone with more than a passing resemblance: Jim Caviezel, who portrayed the bloodied and battered Jesus in Mel Gibson’s harrowing film The Passion of the Christ.

The unapologetically Christian actor – nor should he apologize – will give ministry, or what the church terms “sharing with Pastor Terry Crist.” Personally, we’ll brave being preached at, ’cause we’re a fan of Caviezel, whose filmography also includes Terrence Malick’s The Thin Red Line, Lawrence Kasdan’s Wyatt Earp, and Ang Lee’s Ride With the Devil.

Admission is free, but you know they’re gonna pass the basket.