PRAYERS AND MIRACLES

PRAyERS AND mIRAClES

 

“Let it be done to you according to your faith.” – Matthew 9:29

 

The weather forecast said there was the possibility of afternoon rain for the next three days. Our silver wedding anniversary was scheduled during one of those days and it included a Mass and renewal of wedding vows in a garden setting.

So my husband and I turned to prayer as recourse, believing that prayer is the strength of men and the weakness of God. The Lord answered our petition with a cloudless afternoon, refreshing wind and a magnificent sunset during our celebration.

We turn to God for everything, especially when it involves things beyond our human capacity. Although we pray for everything, we also do our part in making the miracles happen in our lives. Our prayers for good health will not be answered if we do not have discipline in our eating habits and our lifestyle. And while we pray for financial blessings, I achieved the status of top sales performer with hard work.

In every miracle, God takes care of the supernatural while man lifts up his petitions to the heavens and does honest toil. Donna España

 

REFLECTION:

When you pray for a miracle, do you do your part to make it happen?

 

Lord, I stand in awe of You for all the miracles You have done in my life. Thank You for the power of Your Name.

 

 

Why keep it secRet?

 

Jesus had a strict command to the man He had just healed, “Be careful and let no one know about this.” Why do you think Jesus gave such an unusual command? Let us explore the possible reasons;

“He was just being humble.”

— After doing something good, we tend to downplay lest we be accused of being too proud, as if feeling good about doing good is bad. It is false humility. True humility owns the good you have done without demeaning others and always recognizing God’s grace. Making us feel guilty about the good we had done actually comes from the devil.

“He prefers to do things in secret.”

 — We remember during Ash Wednesdays when the Gospel deals with doing things in secret. But in that Gospel, the object of the attack was the “show-off” attitude of the Pharisees. Besides, many of Jesus’ actions and preachings were made and meant to be for public consumption. No, there was nothing secretive about this cure. Nor was He embarrassed that He did not want to be credited with the miracle cures.

“He was afraid of the Pharisees.”

 — Even if Jesus was aware of His mission and His status as the Son of God, His humanity cannot ignore the death threats coming from the temple leaders He antagonized. If indeed He was afraid to preach and do His miracles, He would have done them in secret. No, Jesus was not afraid of the Pharisees.

“He did not want to be misinterpreted of His purpose.”

— There may be other reasons but this one is the true and real reason. He came to announce that the reign of God is at hand. Part of His proclamation is doing miracles that show the power and authority of God over sickness. Jesus did not go around curing all those who were sick. In fact, He was careful about making miracle cures. Whenever He did, He made sure that the recipient and those present understood that it happened because of God’s power and faith, and spiritual healing happened together with the physical healing. Fr. Benny Tuazon

 

Reflection Question:

What is my normal reaction when people learn that I have done something good?

 

Lord Jesus, help me to remain humble as You are humble. Let not fear nor false humility keep me from doing a good thing to anyone.

 

St. John Damascene, Priest and Doctor, pray for us.