My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ God,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
GOD’S HEALING POWER IS MANIFESTED THROUGH HIS
COUNTLESS WONDERS (MIRACLES) IN THE WORLD.
"And Jesus said, ‘Who TOUCHED ME?’ When all denied it, Peter
and those with him said, ‘Master, the multitudes throng and press
Thee, and Thou say, ‘Who touched Me?’
But Jesus said, ‘SOMEBODY TOUCHED ME, FOR I PERCEIVED
POWER GOING OUT FROM ME.’
Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came
trembling and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in
the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him
AND HOW SHE WAS HEALED IMMEDIATELY. And He said to
her, ‘Daughter, be of good cheer, YOUR FAITH HAS MADE YOU
WELL, GO IN PEACE" (Luke 8:45-48).
"And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he
sent two of his disciples and said to Him, ‘Are You the Coming One,
or do we look for another?’
Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Go and tell John the things which
you hear and see:
‘THE BLIND SEE AND THE LAME WALK; THE LEPERS ARE CLEANSED11
AND THE DEAF HEAR; THE DEAD ARE RAISED UP AND THE POOR
HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. AND BLESSED IS HE WHO
IS NOT OFFENDED BECAUSE OF ME" (Matthew 11:2-6).
The divinely-inspired Prophet Isaiah prophesied that at the coming of the awaited Messiah the blind would see, the lame walk, lepers would be cleansed, the deaf would hear. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ fulfills the prophecies of the Prophet, bearing the fruit which only the True Messiah can produce.
Healing power flows from Jesus Christ. That which Jesus touches or which touches Him, is sanctified. The power to heal comes through the garment (Luke 8:44) of Jesus but originates within Him. The miracles of our God and Savior described in the Holy Scripture parallel and continue those of Jesus’ earthly Ministry: diseases are healed and the powers of evil are overcome. Such is the Authority of the Creator. In Acts, we read, "Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them" (Acts 19:11-12). Physical objects ("handkerchiefs" and "aprons") are instruments of healing demonstrating the truth of the gospel that God became Man in order to save all creation and make all creation a vehicle of grace. Similarly, we use physical things in our Holy Orthodox Church because, in the context of faith and prayer, the power of God works through them. There is power in the paint or wood or an icon, or in the metal of a cross, or in oil or water; only if it is sanctified by our Lord Christ. Our Savior taught that one thing sanctifies another: "Fools and blind! for which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?" (Matthew 23:17). Therefore, to trustingly touch the border of His garment was to touch Him. Others may have touched Jesus, but this woman’s TOUCH OF FAITH DRAWS His power as well.
"While He was still speaking someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, ‘Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.’ But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, only believe, and she will be made well.’ When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. Now all wept and mourned for her, but He said, ‘DO NOT WEEP; SHE IS NOT DEAD, BUT SLEEPING." And THEY RIDICULED HIM, KNOWING THAT SHE WAS DEAD. But He PUT THEM ALL OUTSIDE, took her by the hand, and called, saying, "Little girl, arise." Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. And her parents were astonished…" (Luke 8:49-56). The disciples, Peter, James, and John including the parents were excluded to witness the great miracle because of their disbelief.
"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. " (Matthew 28:18-20).
"Behold, I GIVE YOU THE AUTHORITY TO TRAMPLE ON SERPENTS AND SCORPIONS, AND OVER THE POWER OF THE ENEMY, AND NOTHING SHALL BY ANY MEANS HURT YOU. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:19-20).
"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tounges, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2: 2-4).
"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you BY MIRACLES, WONDERS, AND SIGNS WHICH GOD DID THROUGH HIM IN YOUR MIDST, AS YOU YOURSELVES ALSO KNOW…" (Acts 2:32).
The entire Earthly Ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ is one of wonders and miracles. But what is a miracle? "It is a sign whereby God supersedes the normal laws of nature in a mysterious way in order to manifest His power as Master of the universe. Jesus Christ performed many miracles–some showing His mastery over nature, others demonstrating His power over sin, disease, and death. The holy Apostles CONTINUED TO MANIFEST THE POWER OF GOD THROUGH MIRACLES, Healings, weeping holy icons, and other contemporary miracles also show His power in the world today". See Matthew 8:1-34; John 11:1-44; Acts 3:1-9).
The Holy Orthodox Church CONTINUES TO MANIFEST THE POWER OF GOD THROUGH MIRACLES. I can attest to that as a priest of over five decades. God’s power is constantly demonstrated and disease, including death, is conquered and overcome. Divine miracles have never ceased over 2,000 years of Christian ministry. Christ is indeed in our midst. The Holy Spirit bestows His grace through the Holy Church to all who believe. Although in today’s world everything is questioned nevertheless no one can deny a God-given miracle. No person can take credit or attempt to convince others that it is he and not God that performed the miracle. That person is a charlatan and a deceiver.
Orthodox Christian believers do not ever doubt the power of God to do, what in human understanding, is considered to be impossible. What is impossible for man, is possible for God. It is clear, however, that today’s modern person seeks scientific proof for everything. Even among Christians, there is hardly any mention or discussion of miracles. Is it because we don’t believe that they exist any longer or that there is fear that if we believe in them, we would be ridiculed by others?
I can assure you that all of God’s miracles take place all the time throughout the world. The fact that there are some who doubt it does not change the reality that lies before us. I have witnessed them firsthand throughout my priestly ministry. Also, on a personal level. I have seen miracle after miracle from parish to parish. I have witnessed Orthodox Christians healed by the grace of God when doctors had given up on them completely. Orthodox Christians who suffered from cancer. I have witnessed also a young man from my parish of Saint Andrew in South Bend, Indiana who was killed by a fall and recovered although the coroner had signed the death certificate and the hospital had received permission from his parents to distribute his organs. But the greatest of all miracles, as an Orthodox priest, is the Divine Eucharist. Upon the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the bread and wine to change them to the Holy Body and Precious Blood of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. Every time there is a Divine Liturgy those Orthodox Christians present to witness this awesome and divine miracle. We, as Orthodox Christians truly believe that what we are about to receive is indeed the Body and Blood of Christ and not something symbolic or an imitation.
The Mother of God continuously blesses those who believe and supplicate her with miracles. The same with the Saints of our Holy Church who not only intercede for us but perform miracles when through prayers and ask them for help. Our Orthodox Christian Faith is a LIVING FAITH and not something obsolete and/or another dead religion. All Orthodox Christians who are genuine and authentic must constantly acknowledge the existence of miracles and praise and glorify God for His unconditional love for us all. It is wrong to ignore His charity, His compassion, and His great mercy because otherwise, we offend Him directly. We also, by not admitting in His miracles, deny His presence among us. We refuse to believe in His Divine Power and His willingness to save the world and humanity. We also, deny the grace of the Holy Spirit working through the Mysteria (sacraments) of the Church. If we deny all these things what have we left with? A faithless generation of people without hope, purpose, or meaning in life. Instead filled with pride, arrogance, and contempt.
Let us supplicate our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ to strengthen our faith in Him and to bestow upon each and every one of us healing, forgiveness, and illumination.
__________________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 