WOF 443: How Should We Understand Miracles?

Over 83 percent of Americans still believe in miracles, but what, specifically, are miracles? What are the grounds for believing in them, especially for non-eye witnesses? In the Catholic context, who has the authority to deem an event miraculous? Should Catholics incorporate devotions to Church-approved supernatural events like apparitions of the Virgin Mary and post-Ascension appearances of Jesus Christ into their faith life? We discuss the Catholic understanding of miracles and how the miraculous fits with a comprehensive evangelical vision of the life of the Church. A listener asks if it was a sin when those healed by Jesus in the Bible told others of their miraculous healing, though Jesus had told them not to tell. 00:00 | Intro 01: 20 | Update on Winona-Rochester's new pastoral center 03: 10 | Distinguishing miracles from improbable or impossible events 06:15 | Conditions necessary for the miraculous 10:58 | The relationship between nature and grace 14:10 | How miracles are confirmed 16:44 | Science and miracles 20:09 | Miracles and the Bible 23:19 | If God's revelation is complete, why do miracles continue? 25:50 | The Vatican's recent document on apparitions 27:14 | Addressing skepticism of the miraculous 31:05 | Listener question 32:54 | Join the Word on Fire Institute Links: • Poll citation: https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/4400922-americans-ghosts-aliens-devil-survey/ • Word on Fire Institute: https://institute.wordonfire.org/ NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member! Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners . . . like you! So become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.