Everybody likes a miracle! Miracles are needed for beatifications and canonizations. Jesus performed many so people would believe in him and receive graces from the Father. “The signs worked by Jesus attest that the Father has sent him. They invite belief in him. To those who turn to him in faith, he grants what they ask.” (CCC 548) Today they show the ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit in the world. They show victory over suffering and that God can bring good out of evil or pain. They show God’s on-going mercy and foreshadow a future free of pain and suffering.
Many times, miracles are described as “supernatural” events beyond natural understanding. The Saints view miracles as normal reality, the natural and supernatural being deeply entwined. St. Augustine famously said, “A miracle does not happen contrary to nature, but contrary to what we know about nature.” The saints see miracles as nature being restored and the greatest miracle being the transformation of the human heart – conversion. Miracles come through God’s will and grace. “The working of miracles is ascribed to faith for two reasons. First, because it is directed to the confirmation of faith; secondly, because it proceeds from God’s omnipotence on which faith relies…so too is the grace of miracles necessary that people may be confirmed in their faith.” (St.Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Question 178; Article 1; reply to objection 5) Through miracles, through God’s will and Grace; our faith is confirmed and we grow closer to God, though our faith should not be dependent on miracles alone. The miracles should make us enter into a deeper relationship with God and become more aware of the fact that he is in control, not us. He is where our loyalty belongs; not in our wealth, status, possession, and connections. It is God who sustains us through all things. He is eternal, everything else is temporary and fleeting; it will let us down. “All indications show that God is not inclined to reveal himself through miracles. When he works them, it is in order ‘to lead someone to faith, or for other purposes that redound to his glory or the praise of the saints.’ Those then who love to rejoice in these supernatural works suffer a great loss in faith.” (St. John of the Cross – The Ascent of Mount Carmel, Book III, Chap. 31, Nos. 8-9)
It is good to ask God for a miracle, even to expect it, so long as we resign to his will and are accepting and obedient. It is too often that we might pray for a miracle, according to our will and desire, and when we do not get exactly what we ask for, conclude God did not grant it or that the prayer was unanswered. This is not the case for those who believe and trust in Jesus. Our prayers are always heard and answered. “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7) Many times what we pray for, the miracle we ask for, is what we think is needed. It stems from a real need we have and we surmise the solution. When we pray and place that need before God, he will answer and fill that need, but in the way he decides is correct. His grace, mercy and above all, his will.
If we pray, expecting the prayer to be answered, and in total submission to God’s will, we will be showered with miracles. Even when the answer is different from what we wanted or expected, miracles are worked through what we learn and our deepening understanding. Miracles are present in the people we meet through circumstances. When we are accepting and obedient, our perspective on things and people can dramatically change, helping us to better imitate Christ in how we live. Just the opportunity to pray and to invite others to pray for and with us, opens the flood gates of miracles we may never see, but they are there. We are surrounded by miracles every day, all day long. When we detach from our ego, from our desire to control things, from our interpretation of life, and let God lead and follow his lead, we will see these miraculous things. Yes, pray for all we may need, ask specifically for what we want, pray for the miracle we think should occur. Ultimately, leave it to God and thankfully accept his answer and what he gives us.
“You pay God a great compliment by asking things from Him.” (St. Teresa of Avila)
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