In his lifetime, Jesus adhered to the prohibition by God against "graven" images.

How would he react if he had to witness the residents of Mgarr bidding up to €12,000 in an auction - with the approval of the parish priest - for the dubious "privilege" of carrying a "graven" image of his mother - a typical example of Maltese kitsch?

Jesus would respond by denouncing "graven" images as idolatry, and he would equate the auction-bidders to the money-changers at the Temple.

John Guillaumier