On this day in 1858 a sickly child of poor parents had the first of several visions. Bernadette Soubirous saw “something white in the shape of a pretty young girl.” Within a few years, people began to flock to Lourdes and one documented healing after another began to occur. Catholics and Protestants alike continue to travel to Lourdes today. I have long-term friends who have made the trip, prayed, and been changed. There is now a feast celebrating Our Lady of Lourdes established for this day. When I think of circumstances like this it reminds me of Isaiah 11:6b: . . . and a little child will lead them.
I am not promoting or denying occurrences like this. The reality is they make you think about God, His love for us, and how limited our minds are. The one thing I have learned is that as soon as I have something figured out, the Holy Spirit will point out something I have overlooked or neglected. When something good like this happens, we have no more right to deny its existence than the disciples had to tell someone ministering in Christ’s name to stop because they did not belong to their group (Matthew 12: 30–31, Luke 11:23). I think the Catholic Church’s statement represents the situation well. For those who believe in God, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not believe, no explanation is possible. The reality is some things just cannot be explained. If something good happens, we have to believe that James 1:17 is expresses it truly: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
With all that said, I would like you to rethink St. Bernadette. Oftentimes in our lives we do not have a clue about all that is going on around us — we are much like the child she was at the time of her apparition. Spiritual “stuff” is going on all around us and we don’t have a clue. However, we can be open and receptive to God at all times. We can cling tightly to His love and continue to reflect that love to everyone we touch. St. Bernadette and Lourdes became a rallying point for people to come and find love and healing. Whether we believe in this kind of occurrence or not, people have been changed for the better and refocused their lives on God. I am suggesting that YOU can be a rallying point of love and healing for those around you.
Healing occurs in many ways. Most of us need spiritual healing more than physical. However, the healing is there for the asking. Again, it’s one of those 2,000 promises I’ve told you about. While healing may look different to us than it does to God, the important thing is that it is available to you and everyone you encounter. You can heal deep wounds with your words. You can heal tortured hearts with your kindness. The words emanating from your heart have immeasurable power. Just listen: The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21). Before the sun sets today, find someone you can love with your words. Heal their hidden pain and strengthen them for another day.
Love, Dad