Friends,
in today’s
Gospel we see Jesus, the miracle worker, healing two demoniacs. I think
it’s hard to deny that the first Christians were intensely interested in
the miracles of Jesus and that they didn’t see them as mere literary
symbols. Anglican theologian N.T. Wright argues that it’s hard to
explain the enormous popularity of Jesus apart from this fascination
with his wonder-working.
Though
God typically lets the universe run according to its natural rhythms
and patterns, what is to prevent God from shaping it or influencing it
occasionally in remarkable ways in order to signal his purpose and his
presence?
For evidence of this, I would like to draw your attention to an extraordinary book. It bears the simple title Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts,
and it is written by the Protestant scholar Craig Keener. It is a truly
exhaustive study of the theology and phenomenology of miracles, but the
most surprising and exciting section of the book—at least for me—was
his rehearsal of some of the literally millions
of reports of miracles that come, even today, from every corner of the
world. If you doubt God still works in the world today, pick up that
book and think again.
Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 379
Seek good and not evil,
that you may live;
Then truly will the LORD, the God of hosts,
be with you as you claim!
Hate evil and love good,
and let justice prevail at the gate;
Then it may be that the LORD, the God of hosts,
will have pity on the remnant of Joseph.
I hate, I spurn your feasts, says the LORD,
I take no pleasure in your solemnities;
Your cereal offerings I will not accept,
nor consider your stall-fed peace offerings.
Away with your noisy songs!
I will not listen to the melodies of your harps.
But if you would offer me burnt offerings,
then let justice surge like water,
and goodness like an unfailing stream.
When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes,
two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him.
They were so savage that no one could travel by that road.
They cried out, "What have you to do with us, Son of God?
Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?"
Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding.
The demons pleaded with him,
"If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine."
And he said to them, "Go then!"
They came out and entered the swine,
and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea
where they drowned.
The swineherds ran away,
and when they came to the town they reported everything,
including what had happened to the demoniacs.
Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus,
and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.
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