Miracle Now

The phone rang in the rectory of Sts. Joachim and Joseph Church in Otahuhu, Auckland, and the parish priest attended to the call. The woman on the other line sounding desperate asked to talk to a priest. The clergy responded that he was a priest and inquired on what the purpose of her call. She responded, “Father, my son has brain tumor and is in pain, and I would like you to pray for his healing.”  He offered to personally pray over the sick, but the mother said that her son was in Sydney. “In that case, can I visit you, so we can pray for him?” asked the priest.  The woman responded, “I am in Sydney as well.”

Surprised, Fr Sylvan remarked, “How did you know of this church, when you could have made your request in one located in Sydney?” “I was told by someone that those who sought prayers through your church have been granted their requests,” she replied.

“I shall pray for your son and hold a mass for him,” the priest assured the woman.

On the following Sunday, Fr Sylvan related the story during one of the masses, and asked the whole congregation to pray for the healing of the woman’s son.

After the mass, I approached him and commented, “Father that was such a beautiful story. Have you heard of miracles that have occurred here in the parish?” He said, “I was totally amazed at the request of the woman, but I haven’t been told of miracles that have happened here.” After a short pause, he continued, “However, I know that a miracle must be happening now.”

People in this age and time are skeptical about miracles. Yet for Christians, the miracles performed by Jesus Christ during His ministry are among the foundations of their faith.  Miracles are among the factors for the elevation of a pious person to becoming a saint.  But media generally do not give much coverage to reported miracles made through the intercession of candidates to sainthood.  We only learn about miracles in Lourdes or Fatima, among others, through oral testimonies or religious literature.

Instead, the word ‘miracle’ is loosely used to incidents where individuals survive extraordinary ordeals, and often with little reference to faith or divine intercession.  Far worst is describing as ‘miraculous’ acts of magicians or entertainers, when these are either products of sly of hands, if not special effects.

It is important for faith believers to stand as witnesses to genuine miracles. Actually the internet is a tool that Christians must embrace to tell of peoples about miracles that happen through divine intercession. Most importantly, they must believe that miracles can occur not just to others, but to themselves and the people they love. Believe in miracles, they will happen.