The Purpose of Miracles

I have been asked many times if I have ever witnessed a miracle. I have been asked if I believe in miracles. I have been asked often about miracles and why God chooses to “do a miracle” for one person and not another. Miracles, miracles, miracles. We seem to be obsessed with miracles. So it comes as “good timing” that this week’s Gospel is about miracles.

If we wish to understand God’s miracles, we must first understand AND accept that miracles are not every day events. If they were, they wouldn’t be miracles. Once we accept this point, the next step is to understand, based upon the history of the Church (which includes the Old Testament) what is ultimately accomplished in the miracles of God. In all cases the witnesses are amazed at the power of God and ultimately accept, even if not welcomed, the fact that God IS in fact God.

In this week’s miracle of the raising of the widow’s son, we hear, “Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen up among us’; and, ‘God has visited His people.’” (Luke 7.16) The next time you consider requesting a miracle from God, consider why you want a miracle. If it doesn’t include helping witnesses accept and embrace the power of God, then you might want to think twice about requesting it in the first place.

By the way.....YES I have witnessed miracles, and YES I believe in miracles.