Tuesday 5 June 2018

MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!



I HAVE SEEN GOD PERFORM MIRACLES ON A SMALL NUMBER OF OCCASIONS IN MY PRIESTLY LIFE.

I WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT ONE OF THEM TODAY - AND HOPEFULLY, YOU WILL FIND IT AS MOVING AS I DID.

My mother Jo was a patient at Antrim Area Hospital and when I visited her she asked me to go to the hospital shop to get her a soft drink.


Jo

As I emerged from the shop I saw a young woman on her mobile telephone and crying bitterly.

I went over to her and asked her if she was okay. She replied: "My little boy is dying and I am trying to get him a priest".

Recognising that I was a priest she asked me to come to the children's ward with her. I did.

The little room was full of relatives, patents, grandparents and the extended fa.ily.

The little boy was lying unconscious on the bed dying from a massive clot lodged deep in his brain.

It was like the scene at Jairus' house where Jesus found the 12 year old child dead.



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I knt beside the little boy's bed and took out my pectoral crucifix and placed it and my hands on the child's head.

I begged the Lord as hard as I  could to restore the child to health. I also asked the Lord to take the clot out of the child's head and give it to me - as I had lived for over 50 years and the child was only beginning it's life. I felt a gentle heat come into my hands.

Eventually the ambulance came to take the child to the Belfast children's ICU unit to give him a comfortable and pain free death.

I asked the mother to let me know how they got on.

She rang me at midnight and the story was amazing.

On arriving in Belfast the child recovered consciousness, drank a glass of milk and ate a slice of toast.

The doctors brought the boy for a new scan. There was no clot and no sign of the clot that had appeared in the previous scans!

The child was well again.

I went to see him the next day. He had no time for me. He was playing with new ties.

I believe a miracle happened that night. 

That miracle is 100 % attributal to God, and God alone.

I may have played an instrumental part? If I did I was only the rusty pipe that carried the healing waters of God's grace.

Miracles do happen.

But they are very rare.

They are a gift from God, a gift that can be asked for, but not demanded.

As Job in the Bible said:

"The Lord has given. The Lord has taken away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord".


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48 comments:

  1. Lovely blog, Bishop Pat.

    But miracles aren't as rare as you suppose; they happen when we have faith and trust, and when they are needed.

    Nor are they always as jaw-droppingly spectacular as the one you experienced. And sometimes they aren't what we had prayed and hoped for. But they do happen, every day and in every way, because Jesus is alive and active, as active as he was 2000 years ago in Galilee.

    I once, years ago, read something by a respected theologian/spiritual writer, and he said, to the effect, that the age of miracles was over. It was what I should have expected from a priest-parasite, because many of these spongers have no faith at all. That's fine by me. But what angers me is when these excuses for disciples undermine the faith of others. May God grant them what they truly deserve. (Where's a millstone and a briny depth when you need them?)

    In the Gospel, there is only one instance in which Jesus healed, apparently without prerequisite faith.

    Faith in God's ability to work miracles, along with faith in his WILLINGNESS to work them, is essential. Expect nothing without faith, unless you are blessed enough to have someone whose faith makes up for your lack.

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    1. Troll Carta, you can’t speak of anything without your poison bubbling up and overflowing out of your dark well of a heart, can you? I’m convinced that you, for all your talk, you fundamentally share lack of faith with some of those you describe as “priest-parasites”.

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    2. There is nothing lovely about making out an unusualish but natural occurrence is a miracle. It is superstition for the fact remains that it may just have happened and not been down to any God. It is using the boys plight for religious and religious faith reasons. If somebody's child dies they will be wondering why they never got the miracle. Disgusting rubbish.

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    3. Magna Carta's Mum6 June 2018 at 15:16

      Magna darling, you really should have read Mommie's library of theological literature more closely and you would then know that the idea that there are no more miracles is not unknown in Christian theology, for example in the Deism of the Enlightenment.
      And if you look in my library of comparative religion you will also find the idea in the ancient religion of Vodou. You will note that the Lwa are not gods and in that system there is only one god who does not act in the world.
      Kiss kiss darling.

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    4. @ 15.16
      Stuff and nonsense!
      Not worth taking you seriously... But you are probably only having a laugh anyway...

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  2. Miracles do certainly still happen! . I have had two and for reasons of privacy (as one of them was high profile and witnessed by several previous unbelievers) I am hesitant to give details which would immediately identify. But I have had countless smaller wonderful and miraculous answers to prayer. This, the 6th June, is Day 2 of my annual thanksgiving Novena to St Anthony, a truly amazing Saint who will intercede for you. St Martin de Porres has also answered prayers of intercession for me over and over again during my lifetime. Answers to prayer come in unexpected ways and in God's time and manner but often truly shock me even after all these years of strong faith in daily prayer. I never take His goodness for granted and always give thanks. I have spoken on this blog many times before on the huge importance of daily prayer. I have no idea if that has had any impact on anyone else but I know that I must share it. Don't wait until you have strong faith because it works the other way round! Trust in God's judgement as you can't see the future. Another thing I constantly find is that when I pray for others 'needs and well-being, my own needs are answered. You will eventually be shown other ways to bring about the much-needed changes in the Church etc without malice or harsh and hurtful words. Prayer doesn't change God but it changes you. Don't ever postpone the prayer habit as you don't know how far the countdown of your days has already gone. (Don't forget to join in on the St Anthony Novena in prep. for the 13th)

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  3. Miracles do happen...Chilian bishops do give good example to Irish bishops!!

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  4. It was a brave prayer and thank God miracles do happen

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  5. Phyllis Boyce is a walking miracle.

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    1. Yes, and some of the most powerful miracles are "abstract" and only the person or persons involved know the wonderful answer to prayer that has changed and improved an impossible hopeless situation in a way that no-one could ever had predicted...a change of circumstances.. a change of heart.. a change of mind... a reconciliation... Such things as those and many others . God is present and active in the world to all who turn to Him with persevering trust .

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  6. Love this story, so very touching to me.

    This is more in touch with you as a cleric +Pat, your blog would be more appealing to many others if we could see the Spiritual and Pastoral side of you and your work.
    I do think you'd have much more to gain both spiritually and by way of popularity if we seen this side more often.

    Suggestion... Maybe open up a Pastoral/ Spiritual blog or Face Book page?

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    1. 10 16: Some time back I requested Pat to open up a weekly blog re: spirutual/prayer/faith issues for our inspiration and nourishment and to allow contributors offer their reflections. He agreed but it never materialised. Sadly, Pat's followers only want what he wants - a forum to display their venom, hatred of and vitriol against the Church and to chase down all who fail in any way. Criticisms are necessary but we also need to be spiritually nourished. Pat does not satisfy the hungry inner heart.

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  7. It’s a miracle Fr Darcy got moved from The Graan to Crossgar.

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    1. Just wondering about going over to Crossgar. If I touch the big end of Fr Brian's Merc would my prayer be granted.

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    2. Don't waste your time and petrol because he's not in Crossgar at the moment. The big end has been fixed up round Toome some place. The Merc was last spotted cruising along the lanes around Nathan Carter's big house in Enniskillen.

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    3. Fr. Brian is always warmly welcome here in Fermanagh .. One of our own...

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    4. He never leaves Fermanagh whether he's welcome or not. You think the man would take a hint, they certainly don't want to see him back at The Graan.

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    5. He is still very much missed...

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  8. Pat Buckley the wonder worker of Larne. The very Christ is looking at us out of your very eyes, Pat, behind those glasses. People will soon be making pilgrimage to the Oratory carrying their lame young. They will be sneaking up behind you in Asda to touch the hem of your garment.

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    1. I just knew there would be idiots like 11.55 crawling out of the woodwork waiting to criticise. Why are some people just so predictable and boring by what they say. Seems like you have an Asda stalker Pat if they know where you shop.

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  9. McConnell on FB asking for his formal certificate of defaction from the Catholic Church and two days later he's telling the public that he own the Parochial House in Keady!!!

    He own's nothing in Keady, will own nothing in Keady and well he knows that!

    Does this bucko have any wit what so ever, God love his lonely heart making self made video's to hear himself speak!
    Little amuses the innocent!

    Sickened Middletown Resident!

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    1. You have very little to do sad Middletown resident if you are keeping tabs on McConnells FB page. Get a grip and do something useful with your time. Tired reading this horse manure. Get a life when you're at it.

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    2. 13:06 Defecation? Really?

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    3. McConnell defecates every day apparently. His mother says he’s been doing it since he was born.

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  10. Few posters today as they wouldn't understand or know the meaning of a miracle.

    Only on here for a nosey and gossip!

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    1. We may not have the quantity of posters on this outdoor day, but there have been one or two lovely inspiring messages and so I guess you could say - - not the quantity but certainly the quality. That's more important.

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  11. 14:18 I've more interests in life than Mr McConnell.

    Fyi never been on his page nor do I have Facebook, its called the joys of work conversations, daily and sadly its most of the break conversations.

    So get your facts in order! Back to sleep as nite shift comes early.

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  12. Don't be fooled 14.18

    McConnell regularly self blogs to attract attention and interest to himself as he's nothing better to be at!

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    1. People are bigger fools 15.08 to read it and bring attention to it. You won't know what he's saying on FB if you don't read it - simple! Spare us the details in future as I would rather watch paint dry.

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  13. I think a lot of the usual posters are out and about that lovely day...

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  14. Wonderful story, Pat. You did what your mum asked you to. Then you noticed the woman and approached her, you were recognised as a priest, and you did what she asked you and witnessed to Jesus. Beautiful. God is good.

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  15. MourneManMichael6 June 2018 at 19:46

    Miracles are usually seen as events for which there is no explanation within the realms of human knowledge. They are extraordinary.
    Throughout intelligent human existence, such occurences have often been ascribed to a god, or gods, particularly when the event is seen as a welcomed response to human intercession. The word 'miracle' has been applied to such events, particularly in the context of deist beliefs, and often as "proof" of a deist existence, and as a positive response to believers' aspirations. So the religiously inclined believe in such miracles.

    Rational scientific examination of many of these so called miracles readily debunks the deist beliefs of the alteration/suspension of the customary known laws of nature. Others point to our as yet very incomplete understanding of these laws of nature, or 'how things work' here on earth. And the laws of probability too are worth considering in relation to any supposed miracle. Other will agree that indeed there many inexplicable events, past and present, but acknowledging our limited understanding, choose not to automatically ascribe causation to some supreme Being willing, (sometimes!) to respond to human intercessions.
    MMM

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    1. A clear statement from another perspective.

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    2. 19.46 your words remind me of the time Padre Pio prayed for a blind person who had no pupils in their eyes. The person was healed and could see, but still had no pupils in their eyes.

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    3. MournemanMichael6 June 2018 at 21:24

      Blind bats can "see" and catch flying insects in the dark through eco-location. Similarly dolphins locate prey in murky waters emitting clicks to eco-locate.
      Some might wonder at the nature and degree of that "blind" persons eyes and vision both before and after the "miracle " and/or the reliability of witnesses.
      Psychologists evidence many instances of auto suggestion and "magicians " make a living from it.
      MMM

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    4. I swear my mother didn’t really care about the deity but she had the utmost confidence in S. Antony of Padua who always came through for her.

      Heck, last week my wife lost her keys and couldn’t find them. Finally I invoked The Paduan and within minutes located the keys in the most obscure place and in the oddest way.

      I really don’t like to invoke the divinities for such trifles, but my wife was driving me mad, if you know what I mean.

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  16. Lovely and refreshing blog piece .... I know a lot of the blog content is to do with highlighting problems in the Church in a bid to improve things. This is important and interesting.

    It’s nice to have a change of topic now and then though too. This particularly reminds us of what is important

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  17. 20.45 A lovely and refreshing blog piece you say. It’s a shame so many others haven’t bothered contributing today don’t seem to share your view. Sad though it is, the fact is the majority rather have the blog reporting on scandal and the gossip surrounding it.

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    1. +Pat knows the cut off point for miracles.

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  18. 21.24 Well, you know what they say; For those who have faith, no explanation is necessary. For those without faith, no explanation is possible. My money is on Jesus.

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  19. Just breaking news: past principal Abbey school Newry, 80+ year old Christian Brother Dunleavey being prosecuted for historical abuse of nine boys.

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  20. 22.41 Hardly breakng News when it’s been on the news all day.

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  21. When Jesus was on earth 2,000 years ago and he healed someone, he always warned the witnesses not to tell anyone, and I think any priest or minister in any other christian religion who through their prayers or blessing sees a person's condition improve should never go around talking about it. I would prefer to see the people talk about it and give thanks to god for what he did through the intercession of Fr ....... or Rev........

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    1. True, but +Pat brings us back to what really counts via today's blog, and that is wonderful. Behind all the religion is God and faith. Sadly we all too often need to be reminded.

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    2. MournemanMichael7 June 2018 at 00:42

      Religion claims one must have faith and believe in God.
      The non religious might well say one must have faith in order to believe in God, for where is the proof?
      MMM

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  22. 23:13: Jesus was very likely concerned that people would miss the point of his mission: it wasn't the miracles themselves, but what they revealed about his nature.

    The miracles were creating an ever-burgeoning sensation, not about Jesus, but about what he could do for people temporally.

    Sick people, understandably, just wanted to be healed of their sicknesses; nothing more. Yet Jesus wanted to give them more: healing of soul. 'Redemption', in other words.

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  23. I really hope miracles don't occur.

    A god who can't, or doesn't, work miracles, I can live with; but a god who works them occasionally just repels me.

    There is a cataclysmic amount of suffering in the world. Surely a 'god of love' would be doing all he could to end, or to alleviate, that suffering; he wouldn't wait until he was asked.

    What about all the times that a miracle is prayed for and not granted? If I were a parent of a child who'd died and I read that account I'd either be spitting feathers in anger at god, or I'd be rolling around the floor in agonies of guilt, blaming myself for not praying hard enough, or long enough, or with enough faith, or in the right words.

    The god of miracles seems to have a lot in common with the National Lottery. In both cases your chances of hitting the jackpot seem to be around 14-million-to-1; it's just that with the Lottery you have to find the right combination of numbers, while with god you apparently have to find the right combination of words and attitude. Up with a god like that, I cannot put. If he exists he deserves to be scorned, not thanked and worshipped.

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