Thursday of the Octave of Easter
(Acts 3:11-26; Luke 24:35-48)
A young doctor testifies that she is a fervent Catholic
because she has seen miracles. Given her
profession, she means that she has seen sick people healed through prayer. Peter makes a similar claim in today’s first
reading.
Peter has just been the agent of the enabling of a crippled
beggar to walk. Peter does not take
credit for the healing rather he says that the name of Jesus strengthened
him. A demonstration of Jesus’
resurrection is the continued healings in his name.
So why do we not see people healed today when we pray in Jesus’ name? But sometimes we do hear of inexplicable healings after prayer. What is more, Jesus’ name has moved millions of people to works of selfless charity. Who can deny, for example, the widespread care given by Catholic Charities? Hopefully, we too respond to the proclamation of the resurrection with sacrificial actions for the needy.
