19th Sunday after Pentecost 15.10.17 Miracles
The age of miracles is not past, despite advances in human knowledge.
Many would say that only primitive or uneducated people
believe in miracles, and that everything can be explained by science.
However, science only describes what usually happens.
Science does not itself make things happen, nor can it stop them happening.
If God decides to intervene in some way in His own creation
He has perfect liberty to do that!
It seems He usually abides by the normal processes of
things, but He can make exceptions.
When He causes things to happen outside of the normal range
of experience, that is what we can call a miracle.
(Every Mass contains a miracle, when the bread and wine
change substance to become the Body and Blood of Christ.)
God will work miracles according to His plans, not
necessarily ours. However, He will listen to our requests for miracles. Sometimes
He will work them, sometimes not.
He will do whatever is best according to His infinite
wisdom.
The overall principle is that God desires our salvation, and
all His actions and plans are geared to that objective. He will grant or refuse
our requests according to whether or not it helps us (or others) to final
salvation.
At Fatima God decided to show His hand in a very dramatic
way. The miracle of the sun may be the most spectacular miracle since the time
of Christ.
People have still managed to ignore it, however, in a world so
submerged in its own limited vision, seeking only what this life can offer.
Miracles indicate the great power and goodness of God, who
is their Source.
If we experience a miracle it is meant as an invitation to
look more closely. Where does this power come from? What must I respond? How
can I reject such obvious goodness?
If we do come closer it amounts to accepting the invitation
to the wedding banquet (today’s Gospel).
If we accept, we must do so on His terms not ours.
This is the ‘wedding garment’ which has to be worn. We have
to conform to whatever demands made of us as disciples of Christ.
We cannot be dictating to Him what He should be doing. Today,
as then, people think they can tell God what to do.
What we should be doing instead: be awestruck in His presence;
keep reverent silence; do not argue or complain. Wait upon Him while expressing
gratitude for past miracles and mercies; reaffirm our absolute loyalty to Him,
no matter what does or does not happen.
And stay in that state permanently, awaiting further instructions.
Those who do not argue we call saints! It takes a lot of
discipline to control our words and thoughts.
A big miracle like Fatima calls us to these attitudes. The response
of our generation has been very lukewarm, as with other generations before us.
The same old sins keep coming.
And the same doubts, objections, and the constant demand for
another miracle, because the last one was not enough.
An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a
sign, said Our Lord (Mt 12,39).
He could make the sky turn upside down every day – that is
easy for Him. But He is hoping for another ‘miracle’ – that His children will
have enough wisdom to submit to His will and so discover great happiness.
He wants us to accept the wedding invitation with full commitment;
to become the ‘new man’ (epistle).
May He continue to show His great power in whatever way He
chooses; and may we have enough humility and wisdom to respond to the signs.
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.
No comments:
Post a Comment