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The eclipse: Was it science, or was it God?
Maybe it was both. Sometimes the science (or math) behind a phenomenon like the eclipse is so improbable it’s miraculous. For example, it just so happens that the sun is 400 times larger than the moon, which is almost the exact same proportion as the distances between the Earth and the moon and the sun. These proportions allow for an eclipse.
Some things can’t be explained by science. Three times in the past two weeks I’ve been reminded of this event:
In 1531, a woman appeared to a peasant man named Juan Diego near the Hill of Tepeyac in Mexico. She identified herself as Mary, the mother of Jesus. She told him to ask the bishop to build a shrine there so that people would know of her love and care for them. Naturally, the bishop demanded some proof. So Mary told Juan Diego to go and gather flowers to take to the bishop – in December, when nothing was in bloom. Juan Diego found a large number of Castilian roses blooming there and wrapped them in his cloak. When he went to the bishop, the bishop was stunned to see the fresh flowers – plus Mary’s image imprinted on the cloak. Today, the Basilica of Guadalupe stands where Mary appeared. The cloak is on display; its cactus fabric and the image have not deteriorated after nearly 500 years. To learn more, see https://westcoastcatholic.co/blogs/news/6-miraculous-facts-about-the-tilma-of-our-lady-of-guadalupe#:~:text=Tests%20have%20shown%20that%20none,impossible%20to%20paint%20by%20hand.
Another miracle you may not know about:
In the 8th century there was a priest in Lanciano, Italy, who was struggling with the Church’s teaching that the bread and wine actually become the Body and Blood of Christ. While celebrating Mass, he saw the host change into flesh and the wine into blood. Many investigations followed. In 1970, Pope Paul VI commissioned the latest study of these relics, which had not deteriorated. Two physicians performed separate investigations; both found that the flesh consists of myocardial tissue and the blood is Type AB. To learn more, see https://www.stmike.org/from-the-pastors-desk/eucharistic-miracles-lanciano-750-ad
Our Lord uses miraculous events like these to strengthen our belief in His love for us. But if we look with faith, we don’t have to experience an eclipse or travel far to see His miracles. We can see God’s hand in every change of the seasons and in each newborn baby. We can ask Mary for her Motherly care to point us toward her Son. We can be in Christ’s presence in the Eucharist in any Catholic church.
When we recognize God’s hand at work in our world, our hope and trust in His love, and loving power, is reinforced. When we open our eyes and hearts to His miracles, our faith is strengthened. This helps us be open to His peace and His joy.
“Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in You.” – Psalm 84:12
“Lord, increase my faith!”
Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2024 Gina Bedell Comments are always welcome!
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