Miracles are Second

Miracles are second, FAITH comes first.

Easter has just passed so the readings at mass are coming from the Acts of the Apostles.   It is said that among the greatest proof that Jesus was the Son of God was the conversion brought about by the Apostles after Jesus' death and resurrection.  The Apostles lived their lives as witnesses of the faith.  They were able to perform miracles and they were able to bring others into the faith through their words and actions.  The apostles gave their lives to God.

In this day and age, we do not hear of too many people being brought back to life (shocking a cardiac victim with a defibrillator doesn't quite count) nor do we read about people being miraculously cured of their ailments.  We ask, "Have we done something wrong?  Why doesn't the Spirit perform miracles the way we would want it to these days?"

Fr. John Watkins answered that question this morning at mass.  He said, "Therein lies the problem ... we ask why the Spirit does not perform miracles in the way WE want.   It is not what WE want that should matter.  It is what our Lord wants that should come first.  Faith is the key.  Faith in Jesus.  The apostles lived their lives as a reflection of Jesus' life.   The Spirit was IN them.  They did God's will, not their own.   First they believed, the miracles came after."