At one point in Jesus’ ministry on earth, he sent out 72 of his disciples to go to the towns he intended to visit, cure the sick there, and proclaim the Kingdom of God. When they returned, they were very excited and rejoicing because their mission had been such a success. You can only imagine how remarkable this must have been for them. They told Jesus, “Even the demons are subject to us because of your name!” (Lk 10:17) This is when Jesus said something that rings true till today.

At that very moment he rejoiced [in] the holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. (Lk 10:21)

I very much believe that God still sends us signs and wonders today. They are not commonplace, but they most certainly do still occur. A few years ago, I personally was witness to this when a photo I took at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes at the University of Notre Dame mysteriously contained a remarkable image that went viral on the internet. Yes, I believe it was a snowflake in front of the camera, but given the context of the photo and the astonishing image the snowflake formed, it was just too perfect to call it a coincidence. Many people reported to me that they actually wept upon seeing the it.

Last week, a high school and college classmate of mine – among the smartest and most successful kids in those classes – visited this same Grotto and took a few photos. One of them contained this remarkable stream of light. Upon seeing it, another good spiritual friend of mine remarked that it looked like a representation of prayers shooting up to heaven from a candle lit to do just that. I agree.

Grotto

Is this silly? Will sophisticated people laugh at me for saying this? Am I risking my credibility by posting these photos?  Perhaps. But who cares! I am a disciple of Jesus. He told us to have the faith of a child. Children can often see things that cynical adults cannot.

At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. (Mt 18:1-4)

Today, on this feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, a feast day that commemorates a truly miraculous intervention into the world by the mother of Jesus, let us all ask God for the purity of heart necessary to have the faith of a child. This kind of faith can unlock miracles in your life. Jesus said so! (cf Lk 17:6)

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!