April 17. Evelyn posed a question that was bothering her.  “Do we still believe in miracles today, or do we depend on our own powers, knowledge and expertise?  Look at the reality of COVID-19, the pandemic that raged for more than two years all over the world. Medical science had a field-day working tirelessly to develop vaccines, even in competition with one another, because it is a lucrative business. There has been much very good work but also much fraud, theft and misinformation.  But when it comes to prayer, trust and dependence on God’s intervention how much of that has there been? I often think we’ve become too independent of God.” Others added their thoughts. ”God does work in the situation, through the hands of those medical staff and carers who sacrificed much for their patients, but through the scientists too.” “When people are infected and very sick, many prayers for healing are offered and when there is suffering and death people do turn to God and pray for consolation.” “I agree that for some people God has played a role, but I’m still not convinced that we have recognized God sufficiently in the whole situation.”      

Scripture The disciples prayed, “Now Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”   When they had prayed, the place was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:23-31.  Pope Francis: The weakening of faith and religious practice in some societies has had an effect on families, leaving them more isolated amid their difficulties. One symptom of the great poverty of contemporary culture is loneliness arising from the absence of God in a person’s life and the fragility of relationships.  AL43. Reflect, share, pray and act.