Do You Believe this Miracle?

What is a miracle, in your estimation? How can you tell when a miracle has occurred? Are either of these stories miracles? A first grade teacher was reading the story of the Three Little Pigs. She came to the part of the story where the first pig was trying to acquire building materials for his home. She said, "And so the pig went up to the man with a wheelbarrow full of straw and said, Pardon me sir, but might I have some of that straw to build my house?'" Then the teacher asked the class, "And what do you think that man said?" A little boy raised his hand and said, "I know! I know! He said holy smokes! A talking pig!'" Or what about this story? There was a hospital where everyone was awaiting a visit from Pope John Paul II. A doctor with a handful of paperwork took a seat in a wheelchair and busied himself with his notes. The Pope swept in, and blessed the doctor, who immediately stood up and walked forward. At that, devout believers in the Pope's entourage instantly crossed themselves and rolled their eyes upward. Surely an act of God had occurred in their midst. Surely they had seen a miracle. Would this story be a miracle? … It was Easter Sunday evening. The disciples had heard reports that their Master had risen from the dead. They were meeting behind locked doors out of fear. Suddenly Jesus stood among them! After greeting them, he showed them his hands and side. One of the disciples, named Thomas, "The Twin," was not present. The disciples told him what had transpired, but he said that unless he saw the wounds of Christ for himself, he would not believe. Eight days later it happened. The disciples were together again; this time Thomas was with them. Again, the doors were locked; but suddenly, Jesus stood among them again. And he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” You know how the story ends. Thomas exclaims, "My Lord and my God!" Then the Gospel of John adds an important postscript: "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.” The question is: Do YOU believe?

Msgr. Mike