Hoping for a Miracle (Part 2)
In the last post, we talked about the miracles facilitated by medical treatments and medical practitioners. Now let’s talk about the more supernatural form of miracle, as well as the unexpected or unseen miracle. When patients pray for a miracle, in many cases, they are hoping for the supernatural form of miracle, something like a complete healing of an illness. As a physician-scientist, I truly believe that this type of miracle of faith does occur. There are numerous examples throughout history, including the modern era, of patients cured without a reasonable medical explanation or intervention. In the Catholic tradition, for a holy person to be named a saint (for example Mother Theresa of Calcutta), there needs to occur at least one but usually two miracles attributable to the intercession of that holy person with God, most commonly a miraculous healing. The church undertakes a rigorous verification process to evaluate the credibility of purported miracles that involves investigation and input by medical and scientific experts, including those who do not necessarily share the same religious tradition. Given this possibility, it is important to not discount a patient’s belief or hope for such an occurrence, as one never knows what the future holds.
Unfortunately, such dramatic miracles are uncommon. It is important for patients hoping for a miracle from God to not wait on divine intervention and neglect the care that medicine can provide. Consider that while God can provide miracles out of the blue, he probably more often works through the hands of physicians, nurses, and other members of the clinical care team. If God intends to affect a miracle, choosing to also undergo medical treatments wouldn’t prevent a miracle from occurring. So while we can hope for the miracle, it is best to not solely rely on a miracle, but rather to move forward with the best treatments or supportive care available
What if a miracle doesn’t happen as we hope it will? This is where we could all have a greater appreciation for the unexpected or unseen miracles that can occur. A poignant and personal example is the experience of a close family member who passed away from cancer at a young age. This loved one and her family of course hoped and prayed for a physical miraculous healing. But these prayers were not answered as expected. Instead, what was granted was a more spiritual healing, a newfound strengthening of her relationship with God, and a deep sense of peace. She was graced with a more fulfilled life at the cost of shorter time on this earth. Unexpected graces flooded the last years and days of life, touching many who encountered her in a profound and holy way. Was this unexpected grace a type of miracle? Most certainly! Adversity can bring us closer to God if we let it.
Professor Mary Healy’s perspective strongly resonates with me: “Even when it seems nothing is happening in response to our prayer, the Lord may be accomplishing immense though unseen changes. Often there are hidden spiritual or psychological mountains that need to be removed before a physical healing can take place. As we persevere in prayer, the Lord is removing these obstacles little by little. We should never yield to a spirit of hopelessness but rather, as [St.] Paul counseled, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.”
Miracles can happen in various ways, most of which are not physical, and many of which only become evident to us with the passage of time. I do believe that there are miracles happening to us every day, if we only have the heart to see them. Hope allows us to appreciate and see the miracles in whatever form they appear. Let us keep our minds and hearts open to this hope!
