Signs and Wonders

This week’s first reading Acts 5: 12 -16, the apostles perform signs and wonders, drawing persons to the community of believers. These demonstrations of miraculous healing power reveal the transformative impact of the resurrection. These were the same apostles, who a few days before were hidden behind closed doors.

The passage adds that through these healings ‘multitudes of both men and women became believers’. Even today, miraculous healings have the capacity to make believers, as sites like Lourdes can testify.

Healings continue to take place in our everyday lives if we are willing to believe in our Lord Jesus Christ. I remember reading a sign at Lourdes that all tests show that the water of Lourdes is just normal water - it is the belief of pilgrims that make it miraculous.

Jesus told us if we have faith the size of a mustard seed we can move mountains. And it is the same Holy Spirit that empowered the apostles that we receive through baptism. And through the sacraments, this Holy Spirit is animated in our lives.

It is the Paschal Mystery, Jesus’ Last Supper, His Death on the Cross and Resurrection that we celebrate at the sacrament of the Eucharist. And by weekly participating in this sacrament we receive the grace to have these miracles occur in our lives.

So many today suffer from illnesses like when the apostles walked the earth. Modern medicine, a gift of God, continues to perform miracles, yet many illnesses remain beyond the reach of medication. I think of mental illness, lack of meaning and purpose in life, depression, anxiety and addiction to name a few.

Belief in Jesus Christ has the power to heal these illnesses. And this belief usually starts through the reading and study of scripture, the Word of God. This is why I have started this publication, as part of my ministry. And I invite you my reader to participate in this Ministry of the Word, by sharing these posts and complementing them with your witness and testimony.