(OPINION) Eerie and compelling images have emerged, allegedly showing a statue of the Virgin Mary weeping during the sacred Easter celebrations, which took place just days before the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88.

The statue, which appeared to cry tears, was filmed in the picturesque town of Aguas Claras, situated in the Norte de Santander department of Colombia.

According to the Daily Star, this event took place during the solemn observance of Good Friday within the heart of Holy Week, a time when many locals believe they witnessed a miraculous occurrence.

During the annual and traditional Sermon of the Seven Words at St. John Eudes Parish, congregants were swept up in a profound moment that many described as miraculous.

The Sermon of the Seven Words is a reflective ceremony that focuses on the seven poignant sayings of Jesus Christ recorded in the New Testament, uttered during His crucifixion on that fateful Good Friday.

Many attendees, stunned by what they had experienced, began to speculate on the deeper significance of the footage capturing the weeping statue.

One observer poignantly declared, “It’s a sign that God disapproves of human evil, and that’s why our mother cries in silence.”

Another onlooker enthusiastically exclaimed, “It’s a miracle; how beautiful!” A third participant added, “She’s truly crying,” while a fourth articulated, “The Virgin of Sorrows empathizes with human suffering; that’s why she sheds tears.”

As discussions around the statue intensified, some individuals began to view this phenomenon as a potential harbinger of the death of Pope Francis, which was confirmed early on Monday morning.

In recent years, reports of the Virgin Mary statues allegedly shedding tears have captured the attention of many. These phenomena, often presented as divine miracles, stir deep emotions and draw crowds seeking spiritual significance.

However, such events warrant careful scrutiny, as they may align with the Bible’s warnings about “lying signs and wonders” in the last days, designed to deceive even the elect.

Across the globe, from small chapels to prominent shrines, claims of statues weeping tears—sometimes blood-like substances—surface periodically.

These events are often accompanied by fervent devotion, media coverage, and calls for veneration. While some view these as affirmations of faith, others question their authenticity, pointing to scientific explanations or outright fraud.

Investigations into weeping statues frequently reveal natural or human causes. For instance, capillary action in porous materials can cause liquids to seep, creating the appearance of tears.

In other cases, deliberate tampering—such as hidden tubes or applied substances—has been uncovered.

A notable example is the 1995 case of a Madonna statue in Civitavecchia, Italy, where tests suggested the “blood” was human and male, raising doubts about its miraculous nature. Despite such findings, the emotional pull of these events often overshadows skepticism, fostering uncritical acceptance.

The Bible explicitly warns of deceptive signs in the end times. In 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11, Paul describes the coming of the lawless one, accompanied by “all power, signs, and lying wonders,” permitted by God to test those who reject the truth.

Similarly, Matthew 24:24 cautions that false christs and prophets will perform “great signs and wonders” to deceive, if possible, even the elect. These passages underscore a critical truth: not all signs are from God, and discernment is essential.

The concept of “lying wonders” suggests phenomena that appear miraculous but originate from deceptive sources, whether human or demonic.

Revelation 16:14 speaks of “spirits of demons, performing signs,” aligning with the idea that supernatural-seeming events may serve to mislead.

Weeping statues, while emotionally compelling, fit this pattern when they lack verifiable divine origin and lead people away from scriptural truth.

The allure of weeping statues lies in their ability to evoke awe and reinforce religious sentiment. However, this can become dangerous when faith shifts from God’s Word to sensory experiences.

John 4:48 records Jesus rebuking those who seek signs, saying, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” The Bible calls believers to anchor their faith in Christ and Scripture, not in phenomena that may be manipulated or misunderstood.

Veneration of statues, even those associated with miracles, risks crossing into idolatry, which Scripture condemns ( Exodus 20:4-5).

When people attribute divine power to objects or seek them for spiritual validation, they may drift from the gospel’s simplicity. Moreover, the emotional high of witnessing a “miracle” can blind individuals to the need for discernment, making them vulnerable to further deception.

The Bible’s warnings about the last days emphasize the need for spiritual vigilance.

1 John 4:1 urges believers to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God,” a principle that applies to alleged miracles. Discernment involves examining claims against Scripture, seeking credible evidence, and resisting emotional manipulation.

The Bereans in Acts 17:11 model this by testing Paul’s teachings against the Word, a practice believers should emulate.

Rather than chasing signs, Christians are called to focus on the unchanging truth of Christ’s return and the gospel’s power.

Hebrews 13:8 reminds us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever,” offering a stable foundation amid deceptive wonders. While God can perform miracles, those that glorify Him will align with His Word and draw people to repentance, not sensationalism.