20260504 MIRACLES AND PREACHING
4 May 2026, Monday, 5th Week of Easter
First reading | Acts 14:5-18 |
We have come with good news to turn you to the living God
Eventually with the connivance of the authorities a move was made by pagans as well as Jews to make attacks on the apostles and to stone them. When the apostles came to hear of this, they went off for safety to Lycaonia where, in the towns of Lystra and Derbe and in the surrounding country, they preached the Good News.
A man sat there who had never walked in his life, because his feet were crippled from birth; and as he listened to Paul preaching, he managed to catch his eye. Seeing that the man had the faith to be cured, Paul said in a loud voice, ‘Get to your feet – stand up’, and the cripple jumped up and began to walk.
When the crowd saw what Paul had done they shouted in the language of Lycaonia, ‘These people are gods who have come down to us disguised as men.’ They addressed Barnabas as Zeus, and since Paul was the principal speaker they called him Hermes. The priests of Zeus-outside-the-Gate, proposing that all the people should offer sacrifice with them, brought garlanded oxen to the gates. When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening they tore their clothes, and rushed into the crowd, shouting, ‘Friends, what do you think you are doing? We are only human beings like you. We have come with good news to make you turn from these empty idols to the living God who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that these hold. In the past he allowed each nation to go its own way; but even then he did not leave you without evidence of himself in the good things he does for you: he sends you rain from heaven, he makes your crops grow when they should, he gives you food and makes you happy.’ Even this speech, however, was scarcely enough to stop the crowd offering them sacrifice.
Responsorial Psalm |
Psalm 113B(115):1-4,15-16 |
Not to us, Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or
Alleluia!
Not to us, Lord, not to us,
but to your name give the glory
for the sake of your love and your truth,
lest the heathen say: ‘Where is their God?’
Not to us, Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or
Alleluia!
But our God is in the heavens;
he does whatever he wills.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
Not to us, Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or
Alleluia!
May you be blessed by the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
The heavens belong to the Lord
but the earth he has given to men.
Not to us, Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or
Alleluia!
Gospel Acclamation |
Alleluia, alleluia!
Christ has risen and shone upon us
whom he redeemed with his blood.
Alleluia!
Or: | Jn14:26 |
Alleluia, alleluia!
The Holy Spirit will teach you everything
and remind you of all I have said to you.
Alleluia!
Gospel | John 14:21-26 |
The Advocate, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Anybody who receives my commandments and keeps them
will be one who loves me;
and anybody who loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I shall love him and show myself to him.’
Judas – this was not Judas Iscariot – said to him, ‘Lord, what is all this about? Do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?’ Jesus replied:
‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we shall come to him and make our home with him.
Those who do not love me do not keep my words.
And my word is not my own:
it is the word of the one who sent me.
I have said these things to you while still with you;
but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all I have said to you.’
MIRACLES AND PREACHING
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [Acts 14:5-18; Ps 115: 1-4, 15-16; John 14:21-26]
When Judas asked Jesus, “Lord, what is all this about? Do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” he was perhaps expecting our Lord to show forth His power. Most of us are like Judas. We want to see signs and portents. Indeed, Jesus remarked, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” (Jn 4:48) Even King Herod was curious. At the trial of Jesus, we read that “When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign.” (Lk 23:8)
Many evangelists think that the most effective way to bring about conversion today is through the demonstration of miracles, especially healings. It is no surprise, then, that all the big crusades, Christian rallies, and gatherings are centred on miracles and healing. These sorts of events normally draw crowds, and also offer opportunities to raise funds. Catholics are no different. Many go from shrine to shrine to ask for miracles and healing. Some are obsessed with apparitions of Our Lady and make pilgrimages to such locations in hope for a miracle. That begs the question of whether miracles and healing are necessary to proclaim the Gospel message.
The reality is, miracles alone cannot bring people to faith. In fact, in the First Reading, we read that the healing performed by Paul led to a misunderstanding of the message he intended to convey. Instead of being led to the Lord, the people of Lycaonia ended up worshipping him, believing Paul and Barnabas to be the Greek gods Zeus and Hermes who had come to visit them again. Greek mythology has it that Zeus and Hermes once visited a city in Phyrgia. They found no hospitality except from a poor elderly couple who took them in. In their judgment, the Greek gods destroyed the city and its habitants and rewarded only the couple. This perhaps explains why the locals quickly offered sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas, for fear of repeating the mistake of their ancestors.
Even today, there are those who turn to the occult and supernatural, seeking miraculous healing. Many end up worshipping faith healers rather than the Lord. Their faith is focused on the faith healer rather than on the Lord who heals. Many are superstitious simply because they are desperate for help. Being vulnerable, they are drawn to all kinds of faith healing. It is no different from those who seek ‘bomohs’ and mediums. for help. Miracles and healings are not confined to the Christian faith alone. Other religions also claim such phenomena. It is no wonder, then, that those who focus only on miracles move from one faith healer to another, from one shrine to another, or even from one religion to another. For such people, it is not a question of faith in God; they would follow any religion or healer that can give them what they want. Such a faith is self-centred and utilitarian. It does not change lives; in fact, it can leave them spiritually worse off than before.
That is why our Lord never relied on miracles to prove Himself. He did not perform spectacular miracles to make His mission easier. Right at the start of His ministry, He was tempted by Satan to take the easy way out: He was asked to turn stones into bread. He was brought to the pinnacle of the Temple and asked to jump to reveal Himself as the Son of God. He was seduced to worship Satan so that He could have all the kingdoms of the world. (Cf Mt 4:1-11) Jesus performed miracles out of compassion and for the service of others, never as a display of power and glory. Thus, He ignored King Herod when asked for a sign. Instead, He chose to proclaim the Kingdom of God through the human conditions of lowliness, in poverty and in suffering. As St Paul says, “To those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.” (1 Cor 1:24f)
On the other hand, there are those who disdain the use of miracles and healing in drawing people to the Lord. For them, preaching is paramount. To them, it is powerful preaching that will convict hearts and lead people to the Lord. Hence, some priests and preachers place great emphasis on preaching and teaching. The danger arises when the proclamation of the Good News is reduced to an academic study of the faith. They spend hours debating and arguing over the doctrines of the Church, using all kinds of philosophical, sociological, scriptural and theological arguments, believing this alone will bring about faith. It is possible that when we only preach and teach, but do not minister in the power of the Holy Spirit in the healing ministry, we belie a lack of faith in God’s power to heal today. What we have then, is only an intellectual faith without an experiential encounter of the power of God in our lives.
When the Christian faith is reduced to intellectual study based on reason alone, it loses its appeal to the masses. It will only draw those who are educated, self-sufficient, and able to devote time to theological reflection. Meanwhile, the ordinary folk are more concerned with their daily needs – food, shelter, health and livelihood. When we cannot feel the presence of God in our lives and faith is reduced to mere doctrines alone, we will begin to wonder whether God exists at all, and even if He does, we question whether He cares for us, or is able to help us. In such situations, there is no longer any reason why one should even worship Him at all. Without miracles, faith becomes rationalistic; it is true only in the mind. When we face real problems, doctrines and words cannot keep us alive.
So the truth lies between these two extreme positions. The Gospel cannot be proclaimed merely by word alone, or by deeds alone. The preaching of the Word must accompany miracles – either preceding or following. One cannot do away with the preaching of the Word, but one cannot also do away with the importance of miracles in the work of conversion. Jesus not only asked the disciples to go and proclaim the Good News to all of creation but assured them that “these signs will accompany those who believe ….” (Mk 16:15-18) Jesus told the apostles, “As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.” (Mt 10:7f)
For miracles to be effective, they are often preceded by preaching, as seen in the case if St Paul. He healed only after faith had been awakened in the crippled man. “He listened to Paul preaching, he managed to catch his eye. Seeing that the man had the faith to be cured, Paul said in a loud voice, ‘Get to your feet – stand up’, and the cripple jumped up and began to walk.” Only when Paul felt that the man had faith and was ready to acknowledge the Lord, did he then cure him. In asking Him to stand up, the cripple showed his faith in Christ through His obedience to the command of Paul. So the miracle was worked on account of the faith that was sown in the heart of the man through preaching.
It is also possible for a miracle to take place first, but it must be followed by explanation; otherwise it may not lead to faith. A clear example is when Peter healed the crippled beggar first, and then explained the reason for the healing. “When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, ‘Look at us.’ And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, ‘I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” (Acts 3:3f) It was only later on that Peter explained that it was Jesus whom they crucified and raised by the Father who healed the lame man. (Acts 3:11-26)
The purpose of miracles and preaching is to lead a person to the Lord. Healing miracles do not always happen. Otherwise, we would live for eternity on this earth. Those who are healed will one day fall sick again. Salvation is not just the body but also the soul, the entire being. It is to live the life of Christ in love.
Only by loving Jesus can we live out the commandments of God – not in a slavish manner, but out of love for Him and His people. Hence, in the Gospel Jesus said, “Anybody who receives my commandments and keeps them will be one who loves me; and anybody who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I shall love him and show myself to him.” When we share in His life of love and service, Jesus assures us, “my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home with him.” The Father and the Son dwelling in us in the Holy Spirit is what sharing in the Trinitarian life of God is all about. It is this life that alone can fulfil us. This is the promise of our Lord when He said, “I have said these things to you while still with you; but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.” The Holy Spirit dwelling in us will lead us to Jesus and to the Father.
Best Practices for Using the Daily Scripture Reflections
- Encounter God through the spirit of prayer and the scripture by reflecting and praying the Word of God daily. The purpose is to bring you to prayer and to a deeper union with the Lord on the level of the heart.
- Daily reflections when archived will lead many to accumulate all the reflections of the week and pray in one sitting. This will compromise your capacity to enter deeply into the Word of God, as the tendency is to read for knowledge rather than a prayerful reading of the Word for the purpose of developing a personal and affective relationship with the Lord.
- It is more important to pray deeply, not read widely. The current reflections of the day would be more than sufficient for anyone who wants to pray deeply and be led into an intimacy with the Lord.
Note: You may share this reflection with someone. However, please note that reflections are not archived online nor will they be available via email request.
Written by His Eminence, Cardinal William SC Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment