They cried out

When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they cried out. 

Picture this… A man who had never walked before in his life had jumped up and was standing right in front of the crowd.   It was an amazing miracle!   No wonder the people couldn’t contain their excitement.   So Barnabas and Paul seized this opportunity to tell them about the One who had healed this man.

In the midst of our own uncertainties and unresolved questions, today should be a day of rejoicing as well.   Why?   Because God is at work.   Because we are surrounded by miracles all day, every day.   Our heavenly Father is reaching out to us this very moment.   We may not know it all the time, but that doesn’t mean that God is passive.   Miracles come in many different forms, and God wants to open our eyes to see them.   He wants to help us recognize that he is with us, reaching out to us and offering us his grace.

What kinds of miracles does God want to help us see?   Well, think of the times when you have received some kind of inner healing or strength.   Or think of a time when you knew for sure that God had forgiven you, or when you were able to forgive someone else.   Think of those moments, perhaps at Mass, when you were convinced that God was with you in a special way.   Or maybe you have prayed for a loved one with a serious illness, and then seen him recover without any medical explanation.   Each of these is a miracle just as awe inspiring as the miracle Paul and Barnabas performed in today’s first reading.

Behind all these miracles is the promise in Scripture:   “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him”.   No matter what you are facing today, or any day, you can hold on to this truth.   God himself has chosen to live in your heart.   He is with you in every circumstance, offering you his grace, peace, and hope.   Your Father is always walking ahead of you, beside you, and behind you.   What could possibly be more miraculous than that?

word among us