Miracles

Miracles I think present quite a puzzle for those of us that want to follow Jesus.

They are very much part of Jesus’ ministry as described in the Gospels and Jesus invited us to follow him. As a breath of fresh air of the spirit I decided to relook at the miracles to see what I might learn to keep faithful to his proclamation of the coming kingdom (Lk 4:18-19). Just a few thoughts that I gave on Sunday after looking myself at all Jesus' miracles again and seeing what Jesus actually did and/or said and looking for ways of following him (Mk 16: 15-18)

• It is very challenging to us and it is important we take our bit of faith and work with that not what others do. There was no one way but many always focusing on the Kingdom ie the teaching, proclamation and actions of God’s Spirit
• We are to establish an ecology of the Kingdom for us as individuals and as a community (light, water, nutriments, balance) ie everything has a potential for following the Spirit and seeing the kingdom manifest
• Jesus often tried to keep miracles a secret. They were not an advertising gimmick but a natural free flowing consequence of God’s Spirit
• Prayer was not often in evidence. The prayer at the time is often for our benefit. For Jesus the prayer seems to be at other times and often in private (most of us need the gathering together more to encourage each other)
• Miracles and the preaching mostly occurred outside of formal religious places and gatherings
• Touch and interaction/conversation were important
• Jesus often connected body and spirit healing together
• Spiritual warfare (a driving out) was involved however uncomfortable that makes us (me?) feel
• Opportunity seem to be important and desperation and seeking are often involved
• Selectivity and sometimes failure for his followers was evident (eg Mk 9:26)
• It was sometimes a person’s faith, sometimes Jesus authority, sometimes Jesus compassion