Why did Jesus perform miracles?

While the Greco-Roman mythology was plentiful of “magical” events, the Gospels were more sober. Nonetheless Jesus performed miracles in response to the faith of those who turned to Him, and in response to His compassion to those who suffer. Jesus heals, calms the storm, and feeds the crowd by His own authority. In doing so, He reveals who He is.

The blind can now see

In the Gospel, the miracles always have two dimensions: the physical and the spiritual. To see, hear or walk again in the physical world are miracles that heal the body. However, more powerful miracles, not always as spectacular to the naked eyes, yet more frequent, are those that open one’s heart to the message of Love from Jesus.

The official criteria of a miraculous cure

The Catholic Church establishes a two-step process. In the first step of the process the cure must pass the following criteria:

• cannot be referred to any scientific explanation
• was unexpected and thorough
• was lasting in time

The case is analyzed by a panel of five doctors, selected from 100 renowned physicians that are members of the “Consulta Medica”, a board established by the Vatican in the mid-1900’s. If three of the five agree that the hand of God has prevailed where science faltered, then the case is sent to a panel of cardinals and priests. If evidence of healing prayer exists, the cure is declared a miracle by the Catholic Church.

Click here for more information about the process.

Are there still miracles today?

Medicine has made a lot of scientific progress since the first apparition at Lourdes, being very effective at curing the physical aspects of the human body. With the advance of medical research, recognition of physical miracles endures a progressively more rigorous criteria. Fewer than in the past, there are still miraculous cures being recognized at the present time.