Miracles
From the Book: Padre Pio the Stigmatist, by Rev. Charles Mortimer Carty,
Copyright 1955
Miracles are part of our supernatural gifts, they are free gifts which God gives to man as a manifestation of His omnipotence, of the divinity of Jesus Christ and the Holiness of the Roman Catholic Church.
I have said that a supernatural act is manifest to our senses. Well and good; but it must, however, have aspects which stupefy us with wonder, that strike us forcibly, and make us acknowledge divine intervention.
A miracle accepted by the Church must be instantaneous, such as: to resuscitate a corpse, to cure a sickness on the spot, to restore a missing limb, to restore sight, to multiply loaves and fishes, etc. I believe and maintain that in miracles, as in all things, there are varying kinds and degrees.
Miracles are of the first degree when neither science nor natural law can be agencies, either in the present or in the future.
They are, however, of the second degree, when either science or natural law might, over a prolonged period, have accomplished the act, which in a miracle occurs instantaneously.
There are also so-called intellectual miracles, such as true and sudden prophecy of the future, the knowledge of one or more languages that have never been studied, or the revelation of an unknown doctrine.
The miracle helps to bring people closer to God, as Padre Pio indicates every time that he accomplishes some extraordinary deed he says: “God has granted you this favor, turn to Him and not to me in your gratitude.”
He uses the same expressions as the Saints; just as Moses said that what had come to pass was to show the Israelites that there was but one God and that nothing could exist without Him; or Joshua who said that all the people of the earth must recognize the powerful hand of the Lord, and must fear the Lord their God.
Finally, as Christ Himself was raising Lazarus from the dead, He lifted His eyes to Heaven and said: “Father, I thank Thee for hearing my prayer. For myself, I know that Thou hearest me at all times, but for the sake of the multitude which is standing around, that they may learn to believe it is Thou who has sent me.”
And now I am asking a question:
“Can anyone obtain a miracle?”
Yes, if they comply with the conditions imposed by Jesus Christ; not otherwise.
“Why?” You will ask me.
Because God in not obliged to place His omnipotence at the disposal of His creatures.
In stating this, I do not mean to say that God is ever unjust, no, He is not. Got permits a miracle, which is a grace, to occur for those who believe more, or for those who are deserving, or lastly for those who, although not deserving, He wishes to redeem.
Even one whom we consider unworthy, can obtain a miracle, because the saving of this soul has come about through the prayers of others, a mother, a wife or children.
God cannot be controlled, and being an absolute law unto Himself, He is not subject to any law, but He upholds and governs them all. His designs, His views and His intentions have so vast of scope, that the eye of man is incapable of grasping it. It often happens in our life, that a certain action is considered reprehensible in one part of the world, and in some other spot will win the stamp of approval. God alone has absolute justice, ours is relative. That which we hold as just and good, is often merely relatively so; we may therefore not pronounce judgment upon Him who judges us.
Now, if certain miracles are conceded to people who from our point of view, we don not consider to be worthy, it is good to remember that a miracle as for it’s sole object the protection and furthering of our spiritual and not our material interests; as for example: a sinner is converted, and through this comes about the conversion of many others. Hence a quantity of people are brought closer to God. They would never have been converted were it not for the conversion of the sinner.
The curing of an illness, for instance, is not so much for the purpose of healing the body, as for directing the soul along the path of righteousness, and hence toward a spiritual recovery.
Padre Pio Prayer Group of Denver 