“Life is a good teacher and a good friend. Things are always in transition, if we could only realize it. Nothing ever sums itself up in the way that we like to dream about. The off-center, in-between state is an ideal situation, a situation in which we don’t get caught and we can open our hearts and minds beyond limit. It’s a very tender, nonaggressive, open-ended state of affairs. To stay with that shakiness—to stay with a broken heart, with a rumbling stomach, with the feeling of hopelessness and wanting to get revenge—that is the path of true awakening. Sticking with that uncertainty, getting the knack of relaxing in the midst of chaos, learning not to panic—this is the spiritual path.” (Chodron, Pema. When Things Fall Apart (Shambhala Classics) (p. 16). Shambhala. Kindle Edition.)

When you think of people who perform miracles, who immediately comes to mind? Saints like St. Mother Theresa or Saint Charles of Mount Argus (look him up) – or even people like Edgar Casey and other clairvoyants.  Just like there are people who can do miraculous healings occasionally in this world, there are people to whom others attribute miracles of all kinds.  The Catholic Church will lift up certain “Saints” through a process of canonization – if there are people who can affirm the miracles. 

We use the world miracle too loosely in this day. If someone does well on a math test when they expected to do terribly, we might say “It is a miracle.”  Was it a miracle, or did the person actually retain enough information or study the right material to do well? Or we might say “My son was on time today for lunch – it was a miracle.” Again, not the gift of miracles we are talking about. I often read the miracles that Jesus performed in his ministry, and I am jealous that I do not get the same opportunity to witness the joy, the suspense, the surprise and the awe that these miracles would have engendered among those who witnessed them.

Pema Chodron says above: “Things are always in transition, if we could only realize it. Nothing ever sums itself up in the way that we like to dream about. The off-center, in-between state is an ideal situation…”

Experiencing a miracle in our modern world puts us just where Pema is suggesting – the off-center and in-between state, wanting to know how and why. Whether through modern saints of today, through medical practices and advances, or through the mystery of G-d, miracles still happen – and I believe they happen every day.

Pastor Dave

“Jung (posted these words above the door to his home) “vocatus atque non vocatus Deus aderit”, which I take to mean that in the long run, whether you call on him or don’t call on him, God will be present with you. That if we really had our eyes open, we would see that all moments are key moments. That he who does not love remains in death. That Jesus is the Word made flesh who dwells among us full of grace and truth.” (Buechner, Frederick. Listening to Your Life. HarperOne. Kindle Edition.)

It is easy for people of the church to misunderstood healing, and by healing I mean G-d’s healing power to restore a person who is sick, injured, or suffering to health. It is a gift that has existed for millennia. Today, there are people who claim to heal in the name of Jesus, but too many charlatans have tarnished the reputation of the legitimate healers. And yet, I believe that G-d does still heal today. Jesus appointed his Disciples/Apostles to continue his work of miraculous healings – it would affirm to others that their message was from G-d. But somewhere along the line, after the likes of Peter and Paul, Christians struggle to understand.

So, how do we define healing today?  I would contend that people who have the gift of healing include the doctors, nurses, dentists, physical therapists and others who have accepted the calling to go into the healing arts. I would also include the people who are willing to sit with those who are sick, injured, hurting and dying – members of our churches and community – the ministry of presence is a healing art that reminds people that Jesus comes along side us through those who accept the calling to be present with us when we need them. 

Finally, I do believe there are people through whom G-d still heals others in miraculous and mysterious ways. There are stories that crop up often or are shared on social media about someone who was at the brink of death, but miraculously were healed. Whether it was “of G-d” or “of man” misses the point – G-d still heals and we are grateful no matter what the circumstances.

Pastor Dave