Homily: Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time “What is a Miracle?”
Miracles. Christians have always wondered about miracles. We know that it is said that Jesus was involved in different types. Two that we can think of are his nature miracles and the healing miracles.
To the modern mind it is hard to imagine Jesus suspending the natural laws. Ever since the enlightenment began in the seventeenth- and eighteenth-century learned people have questioned the miracles of Jesus. The enlightenment held that reason is the only basis of understanding. The miracles of Jesus are just not reasonable. Because of that, there are two ways of thinking about them.
One thought is that Jesus’ miracles have a logical explanation. We say this about the raising of Jairus’ daughter. Medical science in Biblical times wasn’t what it is today. People were presumed dead because those examining them couldn’t detect breathing or a heartbeat. Perhaps they were comatose. Until bodies began to be embalmed many was the story of someone waking up from the dead. Perhaps the girl that Jesus raised was in a deep sleep as he said she was.
The healing with the flow of blood would be another matter. The woman described suffered from her illness for twelve years. She had gone to numerous people who knew about the healing arts, yet there was no cure. She came to Jesus in desperation. The cure came about. A modern explanation might be that this never really happened. Enlightenment figures are more fascinated with the preaching of Jesus rather than any miracles. To some these miracles were a distraction.
We can think of Thomas Jefferson who was a product of the enlightenment. He wrote a version of the Gospel that was practically devoid of any reference to the miraculous. He wanted to emphasize Jesus as a great philosopher not as God.
The debate about Jesus’ miracles isn’t confined to our time. The ancients debated about miraculous happenings. People of the first century said there were all kinds of spiritual forces at work that are beyond our comprehension. Miracles were to be explained in several ways. Miracles could be a deception. Another explanation might be that they were magic. If there was magic in play that could mean that Satan was at work. Jesus was accused of being in league with the devil on several occasions. A third way of looking at is that the person performing the miracle was moved by the hand of God.
What are we to think? Did Jesus have supernatural powers? Perhaps we should look at Jesus like other figures in the Bible. Moses parted the Red Sea. Elisha cured leper. Elijah raised a boy from the dead. Many inexplicable things happened in the Bible. One common denominator existed. Old Testament figures claimed no credit. No, they would point to God as the one performing the miracles. Jesus also indicated that the power of God was channeled through him.
But a bigger question for us is whether miracles still happen today. If we believe Jesus is still touching our lives in this world, we will say yes there are miracles happening. But we will also say God’s ways are mysterious.
I am reminded of the movie called Elmer Gantry. In the movie Elmer Gantry is a traveling salesman who is a seminary drop out. One day he unites forces with a female evangelist named Sharon Falconer. Falconer is sincere in her religious belief. Gantry isn’t. Gantry is a philanderer and an opportunist, but he is also a powerful preacher. He sees the ministry with Falconer as an economic opportunity. He leads her into an ever more sinful path. Finally, the climax comes when Falconer escapes Gantry’s influence. She holds her last revival. As she preaches, a man cries out. He is deaf. He asks for healing. Forgetting that she has no power to heal she calls him over. She prays over him as Gantry looks on from the back of the crowd. He shakes his head because he knows it is all a charade. Sharon will be exposed for a fake. But after she prays over the man three times, he regains his hearing. People sing the praises of God. The movie ends with the revival tent burning to the ground after it catches on fire because of a stray cigarette. Sharon dies in the fire. All that is found is of her is her Bible. One of the only things left standing is a cross. Gantry gives up his preaching after witnessing all this. He realizes is dealing with forces he can’t explain.
If we believe that Jesus is still is present in our world. If we believe the Holy Spirit is among us, then we believe that there are still miracles happening. The best way to approach this truth is with humility. We hold no power over God. God works through weak instruments to achieve holy ends.
Reflection Questions:
- Have I ever experienced a miraculous event in my life? What was it and how did I feel?
- How do miracles happen? Is faith necessary?
Dear Parishioners,
During the past week there has been a lot written in the media about whether the American Catholic Bishops will deny communion to politicians who do not support laws that would restrict abortion. The bishops voted at their summer meeting to write a statement about the Eucharist. The statement will be drafted and voted upon in the fall. Several bishops have stated that they are concerned about the stance that some Catholic politicians have taken on abortion and question whether they should receive communion. Naturally, this is a very sensitive issue.
The controversy has prompted the National Council of Catholic Bishops to respond on their WEB site to questions being asked. I invite you to go there and see what they are saying. One question that is most relevant is answered in clear terms:
Are the bishops going to issue a national policy on withholding Communion from Politicians?
Answer: No. There will be no national policy on withholding Communion from politicians. The intent is to present a clear understanding of the Church’s teaching to bring heightened awareness among the faithful of how the Eucharist can transform our lives and bring us closer to our creator and the life he wants for us.
I do think most bishops hope that the Eucharist might be something that unites rather than divides us. We do need to be brought back together around the Eucharistic table after the divisions that have arisen in our country over the last two years. That is the Theology of Eucharist that has always been preached since Jesus said at the Last Supper, “I pray……that all may be one as you, Father, are in me, and I in you.”
May Our Lady and All the Angels and Saints may watch over you.
Fr. Mark
P.S. Please check the bulletin for the latest on our COVID 19 protocols.