Woodward: Hillary and the Virgin

This story is getting more play than it probably deserves.

Yes, it's moderately embarrassing that America's chief diplomat is completely ignorant about the defining cultural icon of the United States' nearest and arguably most important neighbor. (When she drives by Buckingham Palace, does she say, "Wow. Nice house. Who lives there?")

But Secretary of State Clinton is not obliged to believe that there's anything miraculous about the Tilma. (Neither are Catholics, for that matter.) Furthermore, it seems clear that she asked an honest question, and she listened intently to the story, which she obviously had never heard before. Hasn't she, in doing so, given us a gift? I have been reading over and over again the simple exchange between Mrs. Clinton and Msgr. Monroy, the rector of the Basilica de Santa Maria de Guadalupe, and I find it strangely powerful.

Mrs. Clinton: "Who painted it?"
Msgr. Monroy: "God."

Don't we need to hear that question from time to time? And don't we need to hear that answer?