Miracles

So what exactly is a miracle? I can't really say that I know, but I'm pretty sure I know what it isn't. Canada's "miraculous" comeback at the 1972 summit series against Russia for one, or Joe Carter's "miracle homer" in the bottom of the 9th with 2 strikes against him, that won the 1993 world series...non-sport examples escape me at the moment...what do you expect from a jock... but I'm sure you can think of a few situations where the word was misused.

Canada's 1972 comeback was nothing more than the result of Bobby Clarke breaking Russian superstar Kharlamov's ankle with a brutal slash, turning the tide in the series. Clarke would go on to have a successful NHL career, while Kharlamov never did, lived in poverty and eventually died tragically in a car accident 9 years later. What part of that story is a miracle...not to mention that Canada is the best nation in hockey and would need no miracle to beat anyone (except for maybe those Swedes...Czechs...Fins...well everyone but Russia and US). Similarly, Carter's homer was impressive and brought Torontonians much temporary joy, but poor Mitch Williams (loser pitcher) was almost lynched by an angry mob upon his return to Philly. So, none of the above are miracles if for no other reason but that I think miracles would never be a double-edged sword, with a need for clear cut winners and losers. True miracles then, cannot be affiliated with sports.

What about the role of technology (medical in particular) and acts of charity that bring about triumph in the face of potential tragedy? In other words, can human efforts induce miracles, and if so, can such achievements be considered true miracles? Is Apollo 13's safe return to Earth after all reason indicated the astronaut crew should have perished due to the explosion, a miracle? Are stories of people being brought back to life after being clinically dead thanks to modern technology, miracles? Maybe. Certainly the use of the term is more appropriate in this realm than in sports, but is it a true fit?

Three years ago, inspired by and greateful for seemingly miraculous efforts of the medical community to save a friend's life, I decided to become a "Miracle Club" donor. Since I wasn't in the medical field myself I had a limited understanding of what exactly doctors were capable of doing, and I thought that was a good way to support their efforts, and why not focus in on kids. Now, several times a year Sick Kids sends me pictures and stories of how my continued contributions have helped them create little miracles...with a request to increase the amount, so as to produce these miracles a little faster and more of them. A real life miracle factory, wow! Their motto even used to be "Where Miracles Happen", until their Palliative Care Department pointed out issues of insensitivity and unrealistic expectations, since not every child unfortunately makes it. But, I relent, who wouldn't...they make it seem like you are an integral part of helping them make these miracles happen. Each year around this time, and as circumstances allow, whether attracted to the feeling of euphoria at making a little bit of a difference, or as an insurance policy so that fate brings nothing that bad to you and yours, you add to the list...Canadian Cancer Society, Lupus Canada, Unicef...the list grows, yet remains arguably insignificant, given the scope of needy causes. You ask yourself, is it better to focus on one thing, or spread it around? Is throwing money at the causes even the answer, or can another way help more? Has any of this really resulted in a miracle, or is it just a marketing gimmick? If it helps, I guess it doesn't matter.

Does a miracle have to be spiritual and divine, supernatural and conventionally unexplainable in nature to be considered genuine? Perhaps, but certainly that cannot be the only criterion either, yet often times it is. What was so miraculous about the Hindu milk drinking statues or the blood-crying likenessess of Virgin Mary? Again, they were fascinating events, officially dubbed miraculous, but I fail to see how wasting milk on a statue in a country where millions of babies go hungry everyday is meaningful. Maybe it helped a few people reaffirm their faith and they went away doing good from that day on...maybe...I hope.

Are miracles associated with certain words/phrases and thoughts/feelings? Can we induce miracles simply by wishing them, and if enough people wish for the same thing, will it be more likely to happen? Would a miracle happen if no one asked for it? . Exactly three years to the day I came across a novena*. Never knew anything about that before, but who ever posted it claimed it would help bring on a miracle. I saved the clipping and etchings indicate I put it to use immediately. Nine days passed, and I'd repeat the process. I would see more and more postings of other novenas, so I'd try them too. I tried them all the way into the summer that year, until the family I prayed for had their daughter home again and feeling better. Whether it was the novena, medical staff, the outpouring of support from all, or just a testament to the strength of the human spirit, I'm not sure...probably some combination of all, but in my experience it is as close to a miracle as I've been witness to...that, and the birth of a child...something seemingly simple and common place, but miraculous nonetheless. In each case, my level of participation and influence over the events may have been trivial, but the effect they left on me are lasting and I am grateful, even though it's not always evident on the surface.

What about places...can certain places associated with miracles induce re-occurrences? Religious pilgrims and the sick flock to these places in search for some sign of a miracle and to ask for help. How successful they are I do not know. I have visited one such place myself on several occassions...Medjugorje, BiH. The Virgin Mary appeared there to a group of children playing in the hills in 1980 (pot is not as popular there, so evidence suggests they were not under the influence). To each child she revealed between 7 and 10 devine secrets. I think they were told to keep them a secret until the right time, or to just live through example. Their bios are available, and each child is now an adult...they are cheritable, model citizens and family folk, with close church ties, but to my knowledge live otherwise normal lives. Still, the word of this event has spread across the globe, and although relatively remote, the little hill top community is always packed with tourists and pilgrims from everywhere. People gather water from fountains to take with them...hoping to be healed. They trek up the rocky slope to the actual site of the vision, to get closer to a miracle. Anecdotes exist of miraculous events after a visit to Medjugorje, I've heard some first hand, but can't say I've witnessed any personally. Still, it's always a place I make time for when in the area...there's a different feeling in the air there. Consider it. <--Promo plug brought to you by the BiH Ministry of Tourism.

Rare is a post of mine that has more questions than answers. Except to say that miracles cannot benefit one at the direct and unwanted expense of another, have elements of mystique and must serve some good purpose, I can't even bs through an explanation on this topic. Whatever the true nature and definition of miracles is, the one thing I hope they are truly not is finite...for all of our sakes.

Happy Easter!


* I've only known and used the Sacred Heart of Jesus, St.Jude and Mother Mary novenas, but there are apparently over 100, to different Saints and for different purposes. Full versions available on the net http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/novena.htm. Basically, it is a prayer you say repeatedly for 9 days, and ask for a miracle or help for a particular problem/person. At the very least, they are calming and comforting...and who knows what more could happen.