MIRACLES ARE NOT ENOUGH

Time and again, we hear stories of “miracles”: a statue of the Blessed Mother shedding blood, a dancing Santo Niño, an image of the Sacred Heart that appeared on a wall, incredible healing powers, and even apparition of the Blessed Mother to her supposed visionaries.

As in many rural areas in the Philippines, our barrio was not spared from the occasional supernatural wonders that descended among us mortals. I remembered Sadik who became an instant celebrity in our barrio, even before Facebook. Sadik was a simple farm boy. He once helped us in preparing our rice paddies. Nothing was really especial about him, until one day our barrio woke up with a wonder boy who can diagnose and heal sick people. Sadik became a healer. He was able to restore the health of many ill people. He received his power to heal from Christ, so he claimed. For a time, Sadik gained followers, as his fame reached our neighboring barrios. He and his followers distributed white handkerchief believed to be potent talisman against any evil that would try to harm the person in possession of it. In a monotonous and unexciting barrio like ours, before the era of reality shows in a 24/7 cable TV, the story of Sadik provided an entertainment, a kind of interlude. Soon his miraculous fetes failed, so was his fame faded away, and so too our entertainment. We were backed to our simple rural life.   

Miracles may entertain us for a time, but they are not enough to save us. Ours is a faith sustained not by miracles but by the love of God made manifest through the cross of Christ. It is this Cross that saved us, saves us, and will save us. In the gospel (Lk 9:43-45), after Jesus’ transfiguration and deliverance of an epileptic demoniac, He prophesied his impending suffering and death: The Son of Man is going to be handed over into power of men. It came as reminder to his disciples about the true mission of Christ. Though sadly, they failed to understand the place of suffering in the framework of salvation. Miracles are easier to understand. Wondrous marvels are great to behold. But who likes suffering, more so death? Instinct says, avoid pain, it might lead you to your death.

To be a Christian is to follow Christ not only through his three years of healing and preaching ministries in Galilee and regions of Israel, but more importantly in his last days in Jerusalem.  Christianity is an invitation to enter our own Jerusalems and embrace our own crosses. We are not to remain in Cana, Samaria or in other comfortable place where water turns into wine, where bread are multiplied. A great life awaits us in our Jerusalems.

Miracles are not enough to bring us to heaven. It is only through the Cross of Christ, present in our own crosses, that will save us.

Who would still like to follow Christ in Jerusalem?