Karlo Broussard - 20 Answers - Miracles

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20 Answers

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Miracles

Karlo Broussard

20 Answers: Miracles

Karlo Broussard

2016 Catholic Answers

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Introduction

If theres one thing that believers and non-believers can agree on, its the problem of Gods hiddenness. Which one of us has never cried out, Where are you God? Show yourself! Although it is true God doesnt overwhelm us with his presence, he does at times show himself through the gift of miracles . From Moses to Jesus, and throughout the history of the Church, God has been manifesting himself through wondrous deeds.

God desires that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Tim. 1:5). This desire explains his choice to reveal himself as well as to perform miracles in order to confirm that revelation. Through miracles, God reminds us that he is present, and that there is more to the world than what meets the eye. They are powerful tools for leading unbelievers to the fullness of truth in the Catholic Church, and for strengthening the Faith in each of our hearts.

1. What is a miracle?

A miracle is an extraordinary sensible effect wrought by God that surpasses the power and order of created nature. That definition is a mouthful, so lets unpack it.

First, a miracle is an effect that is beyond the power of created nature. This excludes any sort of occurrence that may have unknown created causesbe it a force of nature, human activity, or pure spirits (angels or demons) acting only with their natural powers. Such effects might be wonderful and marvelous, but are not miracles.

An effect can be beyond created powers in three ways. First, a miracle may surpass created powers in the very natureof the effect produced. An example of this is the glorification of the resurrected body at the end of time. Such glorification is by its nature beyond the power of any created cause.

Second, the miraculous effect may surpass created powers with regard to the subject in which it is produced. For example, nature produces life in humans, but it cannot do so in a corpse. It is within the power of nature for a person to have sight, but nature cannot provide sight for one who is incurably blind. Notice how in these examples the miraculous is not identified in the nature of the effectlife and sightbut in the subject a corpse and damaged eyes.

The third way a miracle may surpass created powers is according to the mode or manner in which the miraculous effect is produced. In other words, God may cause an effect that nature also produces, but beyond the way nature produces it. For example, a broken bone naturally mends itself over time, but if by someones prayer the bone heals immediately, then it is miracle. Nature sometimes produces rain, but we consider it a miracle if rain falls by the command of a prophet.

So, a miracle must be the work of God, beyond all created powers . But not every work of God is a miracle. For example, God created the whole universe and each human soul, but these acts are not beyond the order of created nature. This is the next part of our definition of a miracle.

The third part is that it must be extraordinary . By this we mean it is outside the normal course of things, both natural and supernatural. To return to our example of the creation of the human soul: it is not extraordinarybecause God has decreed that human beings having souls is part of the ordinary course of thingsthat which completes our human nature. Likewise, the infusion of grace in the soul through the sacraments is not a miracle because God wills it as a regularoccurrence in the supernatural order.

The last requirement for a miracle is that it be sensible something that can be seen, heard, touched, felt, or smelled. This follows from the purpose of miracles, which we will look at next.

2. Why does God work miracles?

Many theologians have argued that given Gods desire for all men to know him and be saved (2 Tim. 2:5), it is necessary that he reveal himself. But if God is to reveal himself, and moreover if he is to make belief in what he reveals a condition for our salvation, then his revelation must be authenticated. We must be able to discern if what appears to be a revelation is actually from God. Thats what miracles are for.

This is also how Jesus understands his miracles, which the Gospels also call works or signs. If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me, he said, but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works (John 10:3738).

Notice that Jesus implicitly acknowledges the difficulty of believing his claim to divinity. This is something we all may struggle with sometimes. But Jesus reminds us to look to his miracles as rational justification for believing in his claims.

In keeping with Jesus teaching, the First Vatican Council infallibly defined the purpose of miracles:

Nevertheless, in order that the submission of our faith should be in accordance with reason, it was Gods will that there should be linked to the internal assistance of the Holy Spirit external indications of his revelation, that is to say divine acts, and first and foremost miracles and prophecies, which clearly demonstrating as they do the omnipotence and infinite knowledge of God, are the most certain signs of revelation and are suited to the understanding of all.

The council fathers make clear that miracles are meant to prove the authenticity of Gods revelation, to make its divine character plain to see.

A second reason God performs miracles is to remind the human race that he exists. Although we can come to know that God exists through the observation of nature (Rom. 1:20), we often misinterpret natures testimony. For example, in some ages and cultures mankind looked at nature and ended up with pantheisma philosophical system that identifies God with the created world. In our time many more come away from their observation of nature believing that only matter exists and the world is merely a chance product of random jostling of moleculesa worldview known as materialism.

So, God makes his presence known through miracles to wake people upto let us know that he exists and that he matters. One could say miracles are meant to break man from the spell of his senses so that he can better direct himself to his ultimate end, namely God.

Another reason why God performs miracles is to authenticate the claims of his Church. This would parallel the purpose of Jesus miracles mentioned above. Just as Jesus miracles give reason to believe his claims to divinity, so too can miracles in the Catholic Church give reason to believe its claims to have divine authority. The Catholic Church can say with Jesus, If you dont believe what I say, believe my works.

Finally, Gods miracles in the New Testament are theological signsvisible pointers to divine mysteries. For example, St. John refers to Jesus miracle at the Wedding in Cana as the first of his signs (John 2:11). But what is it a sign of?

One possible answer is its a sign of the Messiah and the messianic age. Consider how the prophet Amos used the image of mountains dripping with sweet winewhen prophesying about the restoration of Davids kingdom (Amos 9:13).

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