Sir Terence David John Pratchett, (Terry Pratchett) an English humorist, satirist and author once remarked: "Whatever happens, they say afterwards, it must have been fate. People are always a little confused about this, as they are in the case of miracles. When someone is saved from certain death by a strange concatenation of circumstances, they say that's a miracle. But of course, if someone is killed by a freak chain of events - the oil spilled just there, the safety fence broken just there - that must also be a miracle. Just because it's not nice doesn't mean it's not miraculous.” Luke 8:43-47 reminds us: “And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed.”
There are several instances quoted in the Bible of Jesus performing miracles, whether it be by a touch of hand, verbally, prayer, or simply by divine faith. It can include such occurrences as Jesus walking on water as recounted in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John or the transformation of water into wine at the wedding at Cana. A miracle is defined as: “An extraordinary and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore attributed to a divine agency.” However, people’s perception of a miracle differ greatly, it is important to remember that not all miracles are divine. 2 Thessalonians 2:9 warns us: “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders.” A true miracle is usually considered beneficial. Numerous powerful events, since biblical times, have been attributed to miracles. To mention just two briefly: Lourdes, in France, is probably renowned as one of the most famous miracle sites in recent history, which is reputed to have special healing properties for those who partake of its waters through drink or immersion.
The Miracle of the Sun, which is reputed as having the highest amount of witnesses, considered between 50,000 and 100,000 people, occurred on the 13th October 1917 whilst standing in the Cova da Iria fields near Fatima in Portugal. After a storm of rain, the sky cleared and the sun appeared as a spinning disk. After emitting multi-colored lights, it appeared to zig-zag quickly towards Earth. Some witnesses said their clothes, previously wet, had dried instantly. However, it is not known to what extent these two specified miracles can be attributed as either misconception or just faith. John 4:48 confirms: “So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”
Miracles do still happen, even today. They don't necessarily apply just to humans, but animals as well. Animals often form an important part of our life, especially if we live alone. They can become our sole companion. They can become our comfort and joy. Claudia loved her dog, Rusty. They had been together for fourteen years with hardly a day apart. As a small terrier, and considering his age, he was particularly lively, running up and downstairs often for much of the day with an extremely inquisitive nature. They had a very special and close relationship.
They were more than just the best of friends. If Claudia was feeling low or lonely, Rusty would jump up onto her lap to let her know that he was there for her. It would often appear that each knew what the other was thinking. In effect, they had a telepathic relationship. Rusty was completely faithful, but only to Claudia. He was certainly a one-person dog. If anyone else tried to touch him they were in extreme danger of losing their fingers. If someone tried to make contact with Claudia, he would bark ferociously and show his teeth. Rusty always slept in the same room as his adopted mother in his own little basket. If Claudia overslept and Rusty needed to go into the garden, he would jump up onto her bed and lick her face until she woke up. She would then hug him and go downstairs to open the back door for him. On his return from the adventures in the garden, his breakfast would be waiting for him.
One particular morning Rusty did not appear well. He still remained in his bed when Claudia got up and didn't appear interested in anything, which included food. This was totally alien to his normal nature. His usual appetite could be considered as avaricious. He could easily put on weight with his love of food and Claudia, with the best of intentions, sometimes had to refrain from giving him the tit-bits which he adored.
Claudia tried to coax him to the back door but Rusty didn’t want to know as it appeared that he was unable to walk properly. His back legs appeared weak and he had difficulty standing. Claudia decided that she needed to take him to the vet for a consultation and booked an emergency appointment. She carried him to the vet surgery. When the vet examined him, he informed Claudia that Rusty had suffered a severe stroke and had little time remaining to live. He informed her that there was absolutely no hope for Rusty whatsoever. He advised her that the kindest action would be to put Rusty to sleep. Claudia became extremely upset at the news and began to pray to God with all her heart. Luke 1:37 reminds us: “For nothing will be impossible with God.” She asked the vet if anything else could be done? The vet responded that it would be futile as the longest period of time that he expected Rusty to live would be a week. Reluctantly, she had no option left but to agree to the inevitable.
Rusty’s leg was shaved in preparation for the injection and the nurse held the dog still. Rusty kept looking at Claudia with pitiful eyes and just as the needle was about to be inserted, he began to struggle with all his might. He was telling Claudia something. Claudia was unhappy about this occurrence and ordered the vet to stop the process. She felt that something was not quite right. It was not the time for Rusty to depart this life. She asked the nurse to release her grip on the dog and Rusty got up and started walking around the surgery, even though a little shakily. She informed the vet that she wanted to take the dog home. The vet insisted that euthanasia was the kindest action, but Claudia rejected the decision. The vet stated that he could give the dog a steroid injection which might help Rusty a little. Claudia agreed and then took Rusty home. Within a few hours, Rusty was back to his usual self. He was moving around freely and without any pain, his appetite had reappeared and his interest in life had returned to normal. Within a few days, he was running up and downstairs again. A miracle had truly happened. Acts 4:30 confirms: "Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Amen.
