Brush with Death

The celebration would have turned gloomy because of an accident, but God had another plan.

It was the18th birthday of her daughter, so Annie and the entire family threw a special debut party for Ann–Ann.  Everybody helped in turning the venue into a beautiful setting, as food started to arrive for the banquet.  It was going to be a lovely occasion.

Annie was herself busy, as she drove through the motorway bringing stuff needed for the event.    It had been a tiresome day and she had little sleep.   Driving at 100 kph, she suddenly noticed a truck rushing towards her vehicle. She quickly steered towards a direction away from the truck. Her reflex reaction caused her vehicle to swerve and jump over an island towards the opposite highway.

During those ticking seconds, she prayed hard knowing the danger she faced. “Blag!” Her vehicle landed safely on the other side of the fast lane. Surprisingly, there were no cars heading towards her vehicle. Miraculously, she suffered no injuries.  She turned her car around and took the nearest exit.

Upon her arrival, she told us about what had happened then proceeded to attend to the tasks that contributed to a memorable evening with family and friends.  While it was a celebration for her daughter; it was as well a thanksgiving of life for Annie.

All power rests in God and He makes our life plans.  As the vehicle flew to the opposite side of the motorway, Annie called upon the Lord, and He revealed His power over all. "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Acts 2:21)

If our lives are Christ-centered; then we are saved, not just from potential accidents, but from the fires of hell.  For truly, I have seen the lives of Annie and her husband, Romy worthy of emulation.

Despite the busyness in pursuing their livelihood, they attend to their assigned hours of perpetual adoration to the consecrated host at Mt St Marys Traditional Catholic Church in Titirangi, Auckland. They take the difficult hours just after midnight meditating and praying in the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Host.  They are among the many who have kept the small church a Holy Ground; where many miracles have happened such as Annie’s brush with death.

Miracle Now

The phone rang in the rectory of Sts. Joachim and Joseph Church in Otahuhu, Auckland, and the parish priest attended to the call. The woman on the other line sounding desperate asked to talk to a priest. The clergy responded that he was a priest and inquired on what the purpose of her call. She responded, “Father, my son has brain tumor and is in pain, and I would like you to pray for his healing.”  He offered to personally pray over the sick, but the mother said that her son was in Sydney. “In that case, can I visit you, so we can pray for him?” asked the priest.  The woman responded, “I am in Sydney as well.”

Surprised, Fr Sylvan remarked, “How did you know of this church, when you could have made your request in one located in Sydney?” “I was told by someone that those who sought prayers through your church have been granted their requests,” she replied.

“I shall pray for your son and hold a mass for him,” the priest assured the woman.

On the following Sunday, Fr Sylvan related the story during one of the masses, and asked the whole congregation to pray for the healing of the woman’s son.

After the mass, I approached him and commented, “Father that was such a beautiful story. Have you heard of miracles that have occurred here in the parish?” He said, “I was totally amazed at the request of the woman, but I haven’t been told of miracles that have happened here.” After a short pause, he continued, “However, I know that a miracle must be happening now.”

People in this age and time are skeptical about miracles. Yet for Christians, the miracles performed by Jesus Christ during His ministry are among the foundations of their faith.  Miracles are among the factors for the elevation of a pious person to becoming a saint.  But media generally do not give much coverage to reported miracles made through the intercession of candidates to sainthood.  We only learn about miracles in Lourdes or Fatima, among others, through oral testimonies or religious literature.

Instead, the word ‘miracle’ is loosely used to incidents where individuals survive extraordinary ordeals, and often with little reference to faith or divine intercession.  Far worst is describing as ‘miraculous’ acts of magicians or entertainers, when these are either products of sly of hands, if not special effects.

It is important for faith believers to stand as witnesses to genuine miracles. Actually the internet is a tool that Christians must embrace to tell of peoples about miracles that happen through divine intercession. Most importantly, they must believe that miracles can occur not just to others, but to themselves and the people they love. Believe in miracles, they will happen.