Miraculous Power in the Early Church

The history of those flurries of awesome miracles and healing that occurred in the early Christian liturgies due to the Lord’s spiritual presence is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. As we review this history in the following scriptural quotations, let us immerse ourselves imaginatively in the kind of Christian community they experienced, and compare it with the typical parish of our time. The stark comparison may help us understand why so few healings occur during today’s eucharistic liturgies (referred to in Scripture as the “breaking of the bread").

St. Luke tells us:

They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and has all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47, NAB, emphasis added

Again, St. Luke recounts the powerful presence of God among those who worshiped him:

As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them. Acts 4:31-34, NAB, emphasis added

Other instances of the early believers’ experiencing miraculous signs are recorded in the Gospels. Truly, the Lord, who had promised to be with them “always, until the end of the age” (Mt 28:20, NAB), fulfilled that promise as he “worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs” (Mt 16:20). And this must have led them to anticipate an even deeper presence of God – one would confer a permanent healing of all disease and disorder – after the end of the age.

The Bible says that this will be the time of the “new age” when the New Jerusalem will come down from heaven, when the voice from the throne will announce, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them they will be his people and God himself will always be with them [as their God]. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order has passed away” (Rv 21:3-4, NAB).

From meditating on the excerpts from the acts of the Apostles, we can see how the Lord delights in his people and rewards those who gather in loving unity to praise and worship him. As the psalmist wrote in addressing the Lord, “Toward the faithful you are faithful” (Ps 18:26, NAB). God’s miracles and wonders are for those who would avail themselves of these gifts of his loving compassion. We neglect them to our own disadvantage.

When we encounter Jesus physically and sacramentally in the Eucharist, we can learn experientially what it means to abide in him and to have him abide in us. Let us aim to do this at all times, but particularly when attending Mass and receiving Jesus in Holy Communion. And let us continue to abide in his love through our whole day and our whole week, until we are next refreshed with the Bread of Heaven during that banquet of love. Our corporate communion is but a foretaste of the banquet he has prepared for us ultimately in heaven (see Luke 22:30).

This excerpt is from the book The Healing Power of the Eucharist, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Books, an imprint of St. Anthony Messenger Press. This and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/visual materials can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408.