God's Miracles In Other Denominations...

[the_rev]

Well one of our youth had a question I didn't know the answer to! I told them how Catholicism is the only religion, and the all the other church's are denominations that branched off of the Catholic church since they didn't belive in what Jesus taught.

Then the youth spoke up and said, I understand that all, but my question is, if the Catholic church was started by Jesus, which I know it was, I just don't understand how the other denominations see miracles in their spiritual life. If they had a terminal illness, and they were some other denomination, and continually prayed for a healing, and they were heal, why wouldn't God only heal members of his church.

Now I don't want the answer, a Catholic was praying for them, I want an answer to this question: If we are God's church, then why do other denominations see God's miracles in their faith?

That wasn't to sound mean, but I want an answer to that effect. I'm sorry if I sound mean but I don't plan on it.

Your answer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Adeodatus]

Your question reminds me of an incident in the Gospels.

Mark 9.38-40

John said to him, "Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he was not following us."

But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon after to speak evil of me.

For he that is not against us is for us."

This "freelance" exorcist does not "follow the Apostles"---which for us is a criterion of the Catholic Church: one, holy, catholic and apostolic. But he is still able to work a miracle, an exorcism. And he can do this because it is done in Jesus's Name.

I wouldn't say that other denominations don't believe in what Jesus taught. I'd say that they don't believe in all that Jesus taught. This is another criterion of the real Church of Jesus: it believes in all He taught (i.e. Catholic = kat' holos in Greek, meaning 'the whole, or universal').

The other denominations still believe in some of what Jesus taught, and He does not neglect them. These are the other sheep He prayed for, to be united under His one shepherd in the one fold (see John 10.16). The Holy Spirit works in other denominations also, but always in order to draw them into the One Church, because this is another criterion of Christ's Church: it is One. The unity shows forth not only our love for each other, but God's love for us and for the world.

So briefly: Yes, God does work miracles even in other denominations, but always to draw such people into His Catholic Church in which He performs the greatest miracle of all: the Eucharist, so that they too can see with what love He loves us and be able to eat His flesh and drink His blood.