We live in uncertain times when people are hungering for signs of certainty to affirm their faith and give them hope. In recent weeks there has been news reports of alleged statues that cry, a painting of the Blessed Mother that was purported to bleed, and even an image in a tree that some said appeared to be Jesus. These reports have brought crowds of curiosity seekers and others looking for a sign of God’s presence among us.

    The desire for signs is nothing new. In St. John’s Gospel, after Jesus changed water into wine at the wedding at Cana, he was approached by a nobleman who had a sick child. Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.” (Jn 4:48)

    It seems that sometimes we need dramatic external signs for us to believe that Jesus is still with us and has the power to transform and heal our lives. St. Paul, however, warns us in his letter to the Thessalonians that we should, “Test everything; retain what is good.” (1 Thes 5:21)

    How do we test these things? How do we know that what we see is really from God? The Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has established the norms for discernment, and gives the responsibility and discretion of conducting an investigation to the local bishop. The process is designed to determine that something miraculous did happen, the veracity of those making the claim, the theological soundness of any message that may be communicated, and if it encourages a positive spiritual response.

    St. Paul also states in Thessalonians, that we should not “quench the Spirit.” The fact that people say that they think they see the wonders of God and his Blessed Mother in these reported events, again, points to the powerful inner yearning our people have to see signs of God in their lives. The church’s purpose is not to silence that desire, but to help guide it toward the truth.

    We are a people who long to smell the sweetness of a miracle on the hill at Tepeyac, feel the healing waters of Lourdes and hear the voice of the Lady at Fatima. It is in our nature to seek the miraculous in the ordinary. Who ever would imagine you could find God in a common stable? Yet, we must test what our eyes may see, to be sure that which we venerate is true and from God.

    In St. John’s Gospel, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Jesus is telling us that he realizes that our faith is challenged each day. He understands how difficult it is to find the certainty he gave to a doubting Thomas who was moved to say, “My Lord and my God!” (Jn 20:28-29)

    As we look for miracles to sustain our faith, let us not forget to seek it in the sacrament of the Eucharist. St. Francis of Assisi, commenting on what our eyes see when we look upon the Eucharist, said, “Just as he appeared before the holy apostles in true flesh, so now he has us see him in the sacred bread. Looking at him with the eyes of their flesh, they saw only his flesh, but regarding him with the eyes of the spirit, they believed that he was God. In like manner, as we see bread and wine with our bodily eyes, let us see and believe firmly that it is his most holy Body and Blood, true and living.”

    In my last columns, I’ve reviewed the recent document of the U.S. bishops about how to better prepare to receive holy Communion. At the end of the document the bishops say to us: “May we always approach this holy mystery with due reverence and awe and love for the holy one of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, who is in our midst and who comes to abide within us, making us holy as he himself is holy.

    Each time we attend Mass, every time we receive holy Communion, we can see with our eyes of faith, the greatest apparition. In these uncertain times, we can be certain that we are not alone and that Jesus will keep his promise, “And know that I am with you always, to the end of time.” (Mt 28:20)