the miracle of repentance
"If the miracles worked in you had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, they would have reformed in sackcloth and ashes long ago." —Matthew 11:21
"When much has been given a man, much will be required of him. More will be asked of a man to whom more has been entrusted" (Lk 12:48). Jesus applies this Biblical principle to towns in which He did miracles (see Mt 11:20). If more miracles have been done in our towns, more is expected of us.
We as the new covenant have seen countless people become new creations, born again, in the waters of baptism. Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum saw nothing as miraculous as that. Jesus said it would be that way when He promised: "I solemnly assure you, the man who has faith in Me will do the works I do, and greater far than these" (Jn 14:12). The miracle-towns of Jesus' time also never saw the miracle of people filled with the Holy Spirit. "There was, of course, no Spirit as yet, since Jesus had not yet been glorified" (Jn 7:39). Moreover, no one ever imagined the miracle of Jesus giving Himself to us by turning bread and wine into His body and blood. In addition to these miracles, we have witnessed in the new covenant even more healings, deliverances, signs, and wonders than in the old covenant. We live in the presence of daily, frequent, awesome miracles. Because of this, we have a great responsibility to repent.
Prayer: Father, as You extend "Your hand in cures and signs and wonders," may we repent (see Acts 4:30).
Promise: "Unless your faith is firm you shall not be firm!" —Is 7:9
Praise: St. Bonaventure got his nickname, meaning "good fortune," from a vision of his future by St. Francis of Assisi. He built his life on Jesus through his simplicity, poverty, and hard work.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape on I Believe in Miracles on audio AV 63-3 or video V-63.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 4, 2008
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.