IT’S A MIRACLE!

JESUS CHRIST...SON OF GOD AND SON OF MAN Lesson 11

MIRACLES

Sacred Scripture

MARK 2:1-17 The Healing of the Paralytic LUKE 4:35-41 The Stilling of the Storm MARK 5:21-43 Jarius’ Daughter

Catechism of the Catholic Church

#547-550 The Signs of the Kingdom of God #514-515 Signs of Jesus’ Mystery #1500-1505 Christ the Physician #1506-1525 Anointing of the Sick

PARENTS’ & CATECHISTS’ READING REFLECTION & PRAYER

DID YOU KNOW?

An Ancient Tradition has it that a woman who was healed by Jesus later wiped His face with a veil as He carried the Cross. What is the woman’s name?

HEART OF CATECHESIS

Is it or isn’t it?

We call many things a miracle in our every day conversations. Maybe the children cleaned their room, said “please” without being prompted, or your 0-8 football team pulled off a huge victory against Notre Dame. While these things are certainly unexpected, they aren’t miracles.

The word Miracle comes from the Latin Mirari meaning to wonder at and from Mirus meaning “wonderful”.

In a MIRACLE, God suspends or trans-cends the ordinary laws of nature in favor of His plan. Not to be confused with “magic” which is a slight of hand to trick our senses.

Storm on the Sea Rembrandt, 1633

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TEACHING STRATEGY & OBJECTIVES

THEME: MIRACLES WERE JESUS’ WAY OF MANIFESTING THE KINGDOM OF GOD

OBJECTIVES: Read and Discuss the three miracles and emphasize these important points:

Miracles are concrete signs of God’s power, love, and mercy Miracles show Jesus was the Messiah Jesus used miracles to teach about the Kingdom of God Review the SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK

Sacred Scripture

Grades K-4 New Catholic Picture Bible pp. 146-147 Jesus Calms the Storm pp. 143 The Daughter of Jairus Grades 5-12 MARK 2:1-17 The Healing of the Paralytic MARK 4:35-41 The Stilling of the Storm MARK 5:21-43 Jairus’ Daughter Catechism

Grades K-2 First Communion Catechism pp. n/a

Grades 3-6 Baltimore Catechism #1 pp. 163-164 Anointing of the Sick

Grades 7-12 Catechism of the Catholic Church #547-550, 514-515 #1500-1505, 1506-1525

OPENING PRAYER:

THE THIRD LUMINOUS MYSTERY OF THE ROSARY

THE PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM:

Jesus in Galilee

STUDENTS’ READING REFLECTION & PRAYER

Christians Unite Free clipart

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REVIEW: READINGS FROM SACRED SCRIPTURE: THE HEALING OF THE PARALYTIC MARK 2:1-17

WHAT IS A MIRACLE?

Let’s pause for a moment to consider just what a miracle is; in a MIRACLE, GOD SUSPENDS OR TRANSCENDS THE ORDINARY LAWS OF NATURE—PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND SPIRITUAL—IN FAVOR OF HIS PLAN [no, you do not have to memorize this!]. So, as Jesus tells us in Matthew’s Gospel, “THE BLIND SEE, THE LAME WALK, THE LEPERS ARE CLEANSED, THE DEAF HEAR, THE DEAD RISE, THE POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM” [MT 11:5—6].

Miracles show us in a visible, tangible way [on the exterior] what Jesus is trying to accomplish in a more hidden and mysterious way [interiorly] in the souls of those He encounters. Go back to John’s Gospel, Chapter 9, verses 1-5 and 35-41 to understand how Jesus sees this. At times we may be unable to see, hear, or understand the Mysteries of the Kingdom—but if our minds and hearts are open… if we are willing to believe and trust in Christ… we can be cured and restored to spiritual health. WHAT IS A PARALYTIC?

A paralytic is a person who is crippled or physically handicapped. Sometimes they are not able to walk or talk or use their hands and feet as we do. In Jesus’ time, before the invention of wheelchairs, people who were handicapped and not well enough to walk with crutches were laid on a platform attached to poles—called a “pallet” or a “litter.” In this way they could be carried by others from place to place. HOW DID THE PARALYTIC GET TO JESUS AND WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Jesus had returned to Capharnum, and was probably staying in Peter’s house. Mark’s Gospel was probably written from the stories Mark heard Peter telling in Rome around the year 50 AD [about 20 years after Jesus had ascended to His Father]. So in Mark 2:1, it says that Jesus was “home.” Not in Nazareth, but at Peter’s home in Capharnum!

The crowds that had recently mobbed Peter’s house [as we saw in “A Day in the Life of Jesus”], were back to see Our Lord and to hear His teaching. The paralytic was carried there by his friends—and when they couldn’t get close enough to bring their handicapped friend to Christ, they climbed up on the roof, carrying their friend on the pallet. They tore a hole in the roof and lowered the paralytic down right in front of Jesus. This is important, because it reminds us that most of us need friends or parents to bring us to Jesus—or else we risk being left out in the street!

REVIEW TERMS COVERED IN LESSON 8-10: THE INCARNATION SIN CONFESSION TRUTH JESUS CHRIST MORTAL SIN HOLY ORDERS MYSTERY VENIAL SIN GRACE FAITH PRAYER PLEASE CONTINUE TO REVIEW TERMS

Cure of the Paralytic By Lauren Van Nostrand

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REVIEW:

WHAT ARE JESUS’ FIRST WORDS TO THE PARALYTIC?

“MY CHILD, YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN.” WHY IS THIS UNUSUAL?

The paralytic, his friends, the crowds, and probably the person reading the bible story would naturally have expected a miraculous cure. Instead, Jesus says his sins are forgiven. It was certainly a bit of a “let-down” for those who wanted to see something extraordinary. HOW DOES JESUS USE THIS MOMENT TO TEACH THE CROWDS?

Jesus knew that as soon as He said this, that people in the crowd—especially the Scribes and the Pharisees would become angry…because they thought [and correctly!] that only God could forgive sins.

Well…Jesus is God! And as God and Man, He knew their doubtful thoughts, and challenged them in front of the crowds. Now, remember, the Jews of Jesus’ time thought that disease and suffering and other handicaps were a punishment for sin. So if a person was a leper or a paralytic, it was because he was guilty of sin [see John’s Gospel, Chapter 9, verse 1-3]. We know that this is not true—but this is how people in Jesus’ time thought.

Jesus was not trying to impress the crowds. He was more interested in teaching about the coming of His Kingdom—about Salvation and Holiness and the need for repentance and mercy. He used this moment and this miracle to make a point; First, the forgiveness of sins is more important than physical healing; Secondly, His power to heal miraculously drove the point home to the crowd that He also had the power to forgive sins [since for the crowd, they believed physical infirmity was the result of sin—forgive the sin, and the infirmity goes away].

Jesus was not yet prepared clearly to proclaim His DIVINITY to the crowds—but He did want to have them wonder-ing about it. DIVINITY THE QUALITY OF BEING GOD

READINGS FROM SACRED SCRIPTURE: THE STILLING OF THE STORM MARK 4:35-41

HOW IS THIS MIRACLE DIFFERENT FROM THE MIRACLES OF JESUS WE HAVE STUDIED UP TO THIS TIME?

This miracle on the Sea of Galilee is less about physical healing and is more: 1) a response to a practical need—they are in danger; and 2) an opportunity to bring the Apostles a bit farther along in their journey of Faith. You may have noticed already that Jesus’ miracles seem [generally] to be “growing” in scale… becoming more and more impressive in their impact and scope.

Although we can hide in our houses, or venture out into a thunderstorm clad in a raincoat and with an umbrella, man has always been at the mercy of the weather. The idea of someone standing up and commanding a storm to “BE QUIET,” and to have it happen—seems impossible.

Squalls and storms on the Sea of Galilee could arise suddenly and were quite dangerous. The roaring wind can drown out one’s very thoughts and the waves when they are stirred up roll in high. A single wave crashing against the side of a boat could easily swamp it. When things get this rough, the only solution is to head the boat directly into the wind and waves and try to “break” the waves with the prow of the boat. Even though the Apostles are attempting to do just this, their boat was still filling up with water.

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WHAT WEAKNESSES DO WE SEE IN THE BEHAVIOR OF THE APOSTLES?

In spite of the roaring storm, Jesus is asleep in the back of the boat. Perhaps He is exhausted from being about His Father’s Business. The Apostles, even though Jesus is with them, are close to panic. They have not yet grown in HOPE—THE VIRTUE WHICH GIVES US THE ABILITY TO TRUST COMPLETELY IN GOD. “Do you not care if we perish!?” they shout as they awaken Jesus. Their FAITH is weak, and their HOPE non-existent. WHAT MORE DO WE LEARN ABOUT JESUS IN THIS STORY?

We see that He indeed has the power to still the wind and the waves. Awakened from His slumber [this is the only time in the Gospels that we see Jesus asleep!] He says to the storm, “QUIET! BE STILL!” … and a great calm suddenly ensues. Peace is restored…and Jesus turns and asks them, “WHY ARE YOU AFRAID? HAVE YOU NO FAITH?”

FAITH THE VIRTUE WHICH GIVES US THE ABILITY TO BELIEVE IN GOD AND IN THE MYSTERIES WHICH HE HAS REVEALED

WHAT CHANGE DO WE SEE IN THE APOSTLES AT THE END OF THIS STORY?

They seem a bit closer to understanding the Mystery of Who and What Jesus is… [God and Man; a Divine Person with a Human Nature]… “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Their FAITH is growing stronger—but they still have a long way to go.

READINGS FROM SACRED SCRIPTURE: JAIRUS’ DAUGHTER AND THE “HEMORISSA” MARK 5:21-43

WHAT IS DIFFERENT OR DISTINCTIVE ABOUT THIS STORY?

In this story there are two different miracles. The Woman with the Flow of Blood [sometimes called “the Hemorissa”] and the little girl. We do not know their names…but there is a legend, which may be true, in which we find out about the Hemorrissa’s identity.

Another interesting element in this miracle; the healing power goes out from Jesus to the Hemorissa before He even began to speak with her. Usually Jesus waits to see if the person seeking His help has Faith. In this case, all the Hemorissa needed to do was to touch Him. Jesus was already aware of the Faith that was in her mind and heart. WHAT LESSON DO WE LEARN FROM THE HEMORISSA?

She had been sick for a very long time [12 years]… and had tried every medical means she could think of to get well. She must have been desperate. In Jesus’ time, people who had diseases like the Hemorissa were forbidden to be in crowded public places—because it was thought that they were unclean and could spread their disease to others. So she took two risks: 1) seeking out Jesus in the crowd, and; 2) reaching out to touch Jesus. She was afraid—especially when Jesus asked, “WHO TOUCHED ME?” But the Hemorissa’s courage and her Faith were stronger than her fear.

Regarding the legend mentioned earlier… when Jesus cured her, the Hemorissa’s flow of blood stopped immediately. But one day not too long after this story took place, Jesus was bleeding. Most of those in the crowd surrounding Him were screaming at Him and making fun of Him. Those who may have wanted to help Him were afraid to step forward. But one woman on that Road to Calvary, Veronica, overcame her fear and stepped forward with a veil, and reached out to touch Jesus, wiping the blood from His face. As a favor to her, Jesus worked a miracle and left the image of His Holy Face on her veil. One tradition holds that Veronica was the Hemorissa—and that the story had come full circle…Jesus cured her when she reached out to Him, and when she reaches out to Him again, she comforts Him in the last hours of His earthly life. You can see an image of Veronica in the church—the 6th Station of the Cross, and a depiction of the Hemorissa in the CCC—a color plate placed just after #1065.

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WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH THE LITTLE GIRL WHILE JESUS WAS HELPING THE HEMORISSA?

The little girl died. WHY DID JESUS SAY THE LITTLE GIRL WAS ONLY ASLEEP?

Jesus was deliberately talking around the point as He sometimes did when knew people did not believe in Him or were not ready for the Fullness of His Mystery to be revealed [see also JN 7:1—10, JN 10:31—39, and MK 13:32]. In this story, Jesus is speaking figuratively: 1) Referring to those who have passed from this life as if they were only “asleep” seems to be a figure of speech commonly used in Jesus’ time [e.g. Jesus uses the same word to describe Lazarus in JN 11:11; see also ACTS 7:20 and 13:36; 1 COR 15:16. There are many other examples]; 2) in a sense the little girl is only “asleep” …because she will be “getting up” soon! WHY DID JESUS BRING ONLY PETER, JAMES, AND JOHN IN WITH HIM?

At certain key moments in His Ministry, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John aside [His “Inner Circle” within the Apostolic Band]. We also see Jesus take them aside for His Transfiguration [MK 9:1—12] and in the Garden of Gethsemane [MK 14:32—42]. Perhaps because they had the strongest Faith? Maybe because they were better at keeping things a secret than the others? Whatever Jesus’ reasons were, it was certainly because He felt a particu-lar fellowship with them, and because He knew that these experiences would help His brothers to grow in Faith and in Fortitude and to prepare them for their leadership in the early church. WHY ARE WE GIVEN THE WORDS, “TALITHA KOUM”?

Remember, the Gospels were not written in English, but in another language—Greek. And Jesus did not usually speak Greek [or Latin] but Aramaic. The Holy Spirit guided the process of the Evangelists’ writing down the Gos-pels to make sure the true meaning of Jesus’ Words and Deeds was preserved. Occasionally they decided and/or were inspired to write down the words in their original Aramaic [like “COURBAN”… “ABBA”… or “TALITHA KOUM.”] This last expression brings out the tenderness and concern of Jesus before He commands [as God and Man] the soul of the little girl to return to her body. He is gentle, but He is also the Lord of Life!

Now a small circle of people [Peter, James, and John…as well as Jairus and his wife] know that Jesus is not just a worker of miracles of healing—but actually has the power over Life and Death. REMEMBER!... THIS IS NOT THE SAME MIRACLE AS RESURRECTION: JESUS CHRIST WAS “CRUCIFIED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE, HE SUFFERED DEATH AND WAS BURIED, AND ROSE AGAIN ON THE THIRD DAY,” HIS BODY AND SOUL UNITED FOREVER IN A GLORIFIED STATE. Jarius’ daughter was RESUSCITAT-ED [her body and soul were reunited]… but she was not then in a glorified state. She lived as we live…and died as one day we shall die. A RESURRECTED body and soul are perfectly united and never part again.

The Raising of Jairus’ Daughter Vasiliy Polenov, 1871

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SINCE A SACRAMENT IS AN OUTWARD SIGN FROM JESUS WHICH GIVES GRACE, IS THERE A SACRA-MENT WHICH IS RELATED TO JESUS’ HEALING MIRACLES?

There certainly is! Jesus healing miracles are “outward signs” … something we can see and hear and touch and feel. These outward signs also tell us about inner healing which Jesus brings for those who seek Him [remember, Jesus told the paralyzed man, “MY CHILD, YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN”]. One Sacrament which is especially given for spiritual and physical healing is the Sacrament of THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK.

ANOINTING THE SACRAMENT IN WHICH A PERSON WHO IS SERIOUSLY ILL OF THE SICK IS BLESSED WITH HOLY OIL, WHICH HELPS TO STRENGTHEN AND HEAL THEM IN BODY AND SOUL WHAT ARE THE MATTER, FORM, AND EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK?

MATTER THE OLIVE OIL BLESSED BY THE BISHOP ON HOLY THURSDAY

FORM FIRST THE PRIEST GENTLY PLACES HIS HANDS ON THE HEAD OF THE PERSON BEING ANOINTED. HE OFFERS A SILENT PRAYER…

THEN HE ANOINTS THE PERSON’S FOREHEAD WITH THE SIGN OF THE CROSS, USING THE OIL BLESSED BY THE BISHOP. THE PRIEST SAYS: “THROUGH THIS HOLY ANOINTING, MAY THE LORD IN HIS LOVE AND MERCY HELP YOU, WITH THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.” THE PRIEST THEN ANOINTS THE PALMS OF THE PERSON’S HANDS WITH THE SIGN OF THE CROSS, SAYING… “MAY THE LORD WHO FREES YOU FROM SIN, SAVE YOU AND RAISE YOU UP.”

EFFECTS 1. SOMETIMES THE PERSON IS MIRACULOUSLY HEALED! 2. MORE OFTEN, THERE IS NOT AN OBVIOUS MIRACLE, BUT THE PERSON HEALS MORE SWIFTLY. 3. EVEN IF THERE IS NOT A DIRECT PHYSICAL EFFECT ON THE PERSON RECEIVING THE SACRAMENT, THEIR SOUL IS STRENGTHENED BY THE SACRAMENTAL GRACE, AND THEIR SUFFERING MERITS GRACE AS THEY MORE CLOSELY FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST, WHO SAID… “IF A MAN WISHES TO COME AFTER ME, HE MUST DENY HIS VERY SELF, TAKE UP HIS CROSS, AND FOLLOW ME” [MK 8:34]. 4. IF THE PERSON IS DYING AND UNABLE TO CONFESS HIS SINS, HIS SINS ARE FORGIVEN THROUGH THIS SACRAMENT

WHO IS THE MINISTER OF THIS SACRAMENT, AND WHO MAY RECEIVE IT?

The Priest may give this Sacrament to Catholics who are seriously ill [something more than an allergy or a cold]. Per-sons going in for surgery may also be anointed—as well as people who are aged or infirm [people over 65 years old… those who are suffering with arthritis or other impairments that are associated with old age]. ARE THERE OTHER NAMES FOR THIS SACRAMENT?

Yes. This Sacrament is also called EXTREME UNCTION [anointing in a serious or “extreme” situation]. It may also be called “VIATICUM” which means “food for the journey” which the Priest gives a dying person Holy Communion for one last time before they embark on the “journey” to Heaven.