TURN TO THE GOD OF MIRACLES - 7/6/22 (Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time)

Matthew 10:1,5-7

Jesus summoned His Twelve disciples

and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070622.cfm

For more information on the Optional Memorial of St. Maria Goretti, click here:

https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/july-6---saint-maria-goretti-virgin-and-martyr/

For an article on Catholic miracles, click here:

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/miracles-and-evangelism

For the examination of conscience and guide to confession, click here:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

Blessed Wednesday! When Jesus prepared the people for the gospel, He summoned His 12 disciples and gave them authority over evil spirits and the gift of miracle such as by curing people with different illnesses. One of the purposes of the miracles is to give an approval to the teachings of Christ. Only God can perform miracles, and as such, many people believed in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, even in the modern times, God performs miracles that are scientifically verified to help us believe that the fullness of truth is in the teachings of the Catholic Church, the Church that our Lord established. We may look at the link provided above to see some examples of these Catholic miracles. 

And yet, it's important for us to recognize that there is a deeper reason why God performs miracles. Let's remember that even though the disciples were curing the sick, they were using the power of Jesus. He is the source of all miracles, and He wants us to come to Him. When we have physical illnesses, let's trust in Jesus and ask for strength and physical healing. At the same time, we can also be spiritually ill. This happens when we commit grave sins in our lives. Sometimes, we are ashamed to turn to our Lord. But, He is always waiting for us because He is our Good Shepherd and our Divine Physician. The Kingdom of heaven is real, and God is inviting us to repent and to go to the sacrament of confession for the forgiveness of our sins.

St. Maria Goretti was murdered by Alessandro. Alessandro wanted to rape St. Maria Goretti, but the saint was shouting that he should stop what he was doing, specifically because he was committing a mortal sin. As a result, St. Maria was stabbed in her throat, heart and lungs. And yet, moments before her death, she forgave the murdered and desired for him to enter the Paradise of God. St. Maria Goretti appeared to Alessandro in his dreams which led to this man's conversion. After spending many years in prison, he became a Lay Franciscan. If repentance is possible for him, it is also possible for us. All we need to do is to give up our dark past and sinful lifestyle and turn to the God of miracles. 

When Jesus and the disciples cured the people, they came to listen to our Lord. We have the same privilege by going to the Mass. The Eucharist is Jesus Christ Himself. The Eucharist appears as ordinary bread, but He is really our Lord, and this is also confirmed by Eucharistic miracles. By being in the state of grace, we prepare our bodies and souls to be the tabernacles of our God. As we receive Jesus in the Holy Communion, let's speak to Him in the depths of our hearts and beg for graces to avoid sins and persevere in virtues. May we take this time to also speak to our Lord and share to Him the struggles in our life by visiting Him in the Tabernacle, in the Adoration Chapel, and even through Online Adoration on YouTube. Let's seek the face of God in the Eucharist, and He will keep us from error and sin as we journey to the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic