GOT MIRACLES?

Miracles happen all the time. They just don't get reported in the papers. Miracles mostly happen to very poor people who pray for them. These are people who can't afford the New York Times and probably wouldn't be able to read it, even if they could afford it.

So miracles normally don't happen to NYT readers, and they don't happen to the rich and powerful people that NYT readers prefer to read about. Miracles happen to people who ask for them, and to people who need them. These two qualifiers exclude most NYT readers.

Read here about a paralyzed man who was healed at Lourdes and just finished a 1,000 mile walk.

C.S. Lewis wrote a book on miracles. It's quite wonderful. It is helpfully called "Miracles."

There is an excellent series of monographs on miracles titled "Matthew," "Mark," "Luke," "John," and "Acts." I've read them in a collection called "The Bible." Fine stuff. You can even read them online, for free.

Here's a book by a physician examining about 1,400 medical miracles documented by the Vatican over the years. I haven't read it, but it looks interesting.

Miracles have a strange effect. They induce both belief and mockery, transformation and vituperation. Normally the poor, desperate people who ask for miracles have their lives changed, and the rich, educated people around them insult them. Read the Gospel of John, chapter 9.

Some stories don't change.

Here's a tip: if you want to meet God, ask Him for a miracle. Not in a grumpy, "show me your stuff" way. Just ask because you need one, and are admitting it to Him. Don't worry, He'll only give you one if it's good for you.

BTW, I'm not talking about "easy-cheesy, give me a billion dollars" miracles. For the most part, being wealthy is even more problematic for your soul than poverty. It is very similar to starving and drinking a lot of booze to cover the pain. You actually need food when you are starving (i.e., God), not booze (i.e., lots of money).

Thing is, if you get a miracle, you've got big changes coming your way. Some of your friends are not going to like you anymore, and will probably treat you shabbily.

You'll get over it, though, and make some new friends. I've included some Facebook shots of people in the "miracle" crowd. There are lots of them, and they are lovely people. You'll enjoy the good company.

Mother Theresa
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Blessed John Paul II

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St. Francis of Assisi
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Maybe readers could comment on miracles they've witnessed. That would be nice. Next post I'll tell about one that happened to me.