How interesting it is that at the same time that Stephen Fry’s YouTube video on God is going viral, our Gospel Readings are all about the healing miracles of Jesus.  This Sunday’s readings can be downloaded here:

Word format: Year B 6th Sunday

Pdf format: Year B 6th Sunday

We can respond to Fry’s comments on suffering in a variety of ways.  Two of these are:

1.  Suffering can be redemptive (if you are willing to offer it in this way).  Many Saints offered their suffering united with the cross of Christ: think of Therese of Lisieux, Gemma Galgani, Maria Goretti, Chiara Badano … the list is very long.

2. Suffering can be healed.  Jesus provides ample evidence of his ability to perform miracles through our faith-filled prayer.  Two huge volumes by Craig Keener give numerous examples of well-attested miracles, for those who want to take a scholarly, historiographical approach.  And then there are websites like this giving public testimony of Jesus’ miracles, intended for a more general audience.

But if you just want to reflect on today’s Scriptures, I would recommend this Scripture Study by Dr John Bergsma, and this homily by Fr Robert Barron.

Apologies for the irregularity of my posts lately.  I have been in South Africa and when I returned, my internet connection was down as a result of lightning strikes!