This reflection is based on Mark 6:1-6.
This gospel account has always baffled me. Our Lord visits the neighborhood where he grew up, and preaches in their synagogue surrounded by relatives and childhood friends. Like everyone who hears him speak, they are amazed at the Lord’s teachings. However, whereas others develop faith in him as a result of hearing Jesus, these ones–people who probably know him best–do not. Instead they question him, unable to accept that someone from among them could become such a prophet.
What they murmur among themselves is a mixture of astonishment and doubt all in the same breath: “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?”
It’s a classic case of familiarity breeding contempt. As a result, we are told, apart from healing a few sick people, Jesus could not perform any “mighty deed” among them, “among his own kin and in his own house.”
We learn a couple of lessons about miracles here. First, sometimes the source of miracles is staring us right in the face, but we fail to recognize it because of our own expectations and pre-conceived notions. For some reason, we expect God to be present or to act only in particular ways and places. Most people–even those with deep faith–are afflicted with the “expectation of the extraordinary,” where they consign God only to dramatic and extraordinary moments in their lives, when in fact, God is most present and active in the most quiet and ordinary moments.
Secondly, as clearly pointed out by this Gospel account, God’s miracles unfortunately require our faith. It doesn’t mean that God is not powerful enough and that for this reason, he requires–and is dependent on–our faith. It only means that our God is a God who respects our freedom. God’s will is not a tsunami that sweeps everything away to wherever it wants to take us. Rather, it is like a mountain stream that allows itself to be hindered, even blocked, by obstacles along the way, but in the end, somehow manages to reach its destination. But take note: It only takes with it and carries with it the things that allow themselves to be taken and carried away.
In other words, if we want miracles to happen in our lives, we need to have faith because faith is precisely the openness that miracles require. We often wonder how prayers and miracles are related. I think our prayers, fueled by our faith, provide the very permission that God usually waits for before he performs the miracles we need in our lives.
13 replies on “THE PROBLEM WITH MIRACLES”
I’ve personally experienced His miracles in the most ordinary way in the important events in my life. It seems so ordinary that if one were not expecting it, it could be easily overlooked as coincidence or something else other than His doing. But I’ve always felt that it could only be God.
We usually only recognize Him afterwards. Thank you, Kitty, for sharing!
Thank you so much, Fr. Johnny……you helped make things clear!
Thank you! I try 🙂
Thank you for the link of prayer to miracle. Giving God permission to move in big and small ways in my life.
Everyday miracles we fail to see because of one’s pride and lack of faith in God.
I have always liked that image of God’s actions being like a gentle mountain stream that obstinately finds its way around obstacles (in my case, obstacles I myself have put up). God’s love will somehow find a path that will lead me to my destination – Himself. That is the hope that keeps me going, the faith that moves me in the difficult times.
Thank you for giving me that image to keep in mind.
Everyday is actually a miracle.
Mercy
father, last night i had my own test of faith and i found myself saying in a whisper to God… “God! i leave it all up to You, let it be done” like in a wedding party where Jesus converted water to wine. it all happened perfectly, i could not ask for more.
Thanks!!! I had the same reactions/reflection and conclusion/inspiration! Indeed, what it means for me is that I need steadfast and hope filled faith especially in those most difficult things that I pray about/for . . . and as best I can, to pray this way without ceasing. Easier said than done!
What a gentle loving God we have. The bells and whistles are our expectations but His quiet nudging And embrace is all we need. Lord pls strengthen my little faith so I cam experience your saving grace.
“our God is a God who respects our freedom.” How wonderful that despite His power and ever present love, He gives us the CHOICE to accept Him, to believe in Him, to follow Him and when we do choose, our faith will allow us to see His miracles in our everyday lives.
And for this same reason, we must use our freedom responsibly.