Believe: Miracles do happen

I believe in miracles. But for a long time I didn't, that was when I needed logic and reason to believe anything. It was amusing to listen to people who received miraculous healing from incurable diseases, people talking about how improbable things became possible. Retreats, prayer groups, healing services - none of that made any sense, I couldn't find the rationale behind any of it. 

Now looking back at it, it really doesn't make any sense, I can't understand why I had such a hard time believing in miracles. If I think about it, every breath I take and every step I make is a miracle. When miracles happen continuously day after day, we call it normal, but it doesn't take anything away from the miracle itself, it still is an unexplainable act of divine nature. Yes, I can reason it as a random event in the whole spectrum of universal bodies, but is it random when billions and billions of people do the same thing over and over again for millions of years? 

For Christians who doubt miracles, they are doubting the very root of their faith. Incarnation, Virgin birth, Resurrection are not everyday terms; I don't think anybody alive today has witnessed any of that stuff. But every time we make a sign of cross or bow down in silence to pray,  we are professing our faith - our belief in something or someone that cannot be seen, and believing in something that cannot be proven. Things become a little bit more interesting for a Catholic because of transubstantiation, the doctrine of bread and wine transforming into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. I said Catholic in specific because for Catholics transubstantiation is not symbolic, it is REAL. Every Catholic is a cannibal - a flesh eating, blood drinking human being, the flesh and blood of Lord our Savior Jesus Christ. Try explaining that!!

Miracles do happen, not just the every day act of breathing and moving, but also the odd once in a while act of healing from an incurable disease, freedom from severe addiction, and help with any personal problem that might look impossible to solve to the human eye. Miracles are meant to be signs, confirmations for the Word of God; it is an invitation to trust in Him, to believe in Him. The Bible is filled with descriptions of miracles because Bible is the Word of God and the Word's effect on humanity, "So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me empty, but shall do what pleases me, achieving the end for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11). For those who think that Bible is just a literary work and the Liturgy is symbolic, you have a lot of explaining to do, about everything seen and unseen, starting with your ability to think. 

I believe in miracles because I believe in a God for whom nothing is impossible. "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26).  For a few, realization of the existence of this God can come in a moment's time; for others, it it a struggle that can last a life time. If you are struggling with your faith or can't find it, then don't quit, let"EL-ROI (The strong one who sees)" (Genesis 16:13) and "JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH (The Lord who is present)" (Ezekiel 48:35) show you the way, a way to witness a miracle, maybe even take part in one. And those who believe, use your faith to pray for those can't and those who won't. Don't hold back praying for somebody because that person lack faith or due to his/her shortcomings, let God be the judge, "Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give" (Matthew 10:8).

"Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed" (John 20:29).