Do you take account of the miracles in your life?
Think of the Apostles’ journey with Jesus thus far. They’ve seen miracles, heard him teach, had His teachings personally explained to them, saw the Transfiguration, and heard the voice of the Father call down from heaven. They saw Jesus raise people from the dead, most recently Lazarus.
I don’t know if the Apostles took account of all the miracles. Today, Jesus told them:
—Go into the village opposite you,
and immediately on entering it,
you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat.
Untie it and bring it here.
If anyone should say to you,
‘Why are you doing this?’ reply,
‘The Master has need of it
and will send it back here at once.’—
They went and found things to be exactly as He had said they would be. Exactly!
Were they amazed? Did they notice? Was this miracle too small in relation to the bigger ones, like feeding 5,000 men with five loaves and two fish?
Jesus’ ministry, and most especially His raising of Lazarus, was the big lead in for this moment. Jesus was to be welcomed into Jerusalem as the Messiah. Can you imagine the Apostles’ euphoria? Everything as He said it would be, the people turning out, acclaiming Him:
—Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!
Hosanna in the highest!—
In a few days time one would deny Him. The others would run away in fear, locking themselves in the upper room. The people would be in the streets shouting: —Crucify Him, crucify Him!—
Reality, or at least the Apostles’ perception of reality, set in. They forgot what He said about being handed over and rising again. They forgot the part about doing the Father’s will. They forgot the miracles. They lived in fear and doubt.
So I ask, —Do you take account of the miracles in your life?—
Do you remember those times that Jesus quietly touched you? Do you remember when it was He alone who held you up? Do you remember times of terrible sadness when He gave you the strength to carry on? Do you remember when He was there rejoicing with you at births, weddings, and other celebrations? Did you even realize that He was there?
Some people get caught up in waiting for the big signs, the sun spinning in the sky, the Blessed Virgin appearing in a grotto, and other such things. They wait and miss the obvious. Jesus is right next to them.
The biggest event, the most important event in human history has already happened. We are called to recognize it and to act with faith. We are called to recognize the most important miracle in our lives —“ Christ’s presence, and to proclaim the biggest miracle of all, Jesus Christ, Who suffered, died, was buried, and Who rose from the dead.
Every day we hear the world tell us that Jesus is not a reality; that the bible is fake, and that faith is silly.
When you are confronted with these accusations just remember the answer you give when you come up here and Father or I say —The body and blood of Christ—. You say “Amen”, you are using an ancient Hebrew word meaning: “So be it; truly”
Amen, amen I say to you. Remember your faith. Remember, recognize, and take account of the miracle of Christ in your life. Remember that Jesus is ever present to you in this tabernacle. Remember that the words you say in the creed, and when you proclaim Amen, are words of faith and truth. Remember that the Apostles’ were not confirmed in their faith until Pentecost. You have been confirmed in your faith already. Now stand and profess what you believe.