Life & Family | Virtue´s Clues

… with Jesus

by Father Nathan Miller | Source: Catholic.net

Here’show to get what you want or need … from Jesus.

Let’s begin with a question: So what made the lady in Luke’s Gospel—who got healed just by touching the fringe of Jesus’ mantel—any different? Jesus reacted,remember? “Someone touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me.” (Lk 8:46) How can I touch Jesus in this profound way too?

I once helped my neighbor Jim chop wood on his farm. In his bearded wisdom he shared this story with me: “Two brothers were once chopping wood together,” he said. “The first rested his hand on the log, the second warned him he was about to chop.”

“Move your stinking fingers, I’m gunna chop.”

“No,you’re not, you idiot! Not while my fingers are there.”

“I’m chopping; you better move!”

“I’m tired, and my hand is staying right there. I know you won’t chop.”

“I warned you; here goes.”

“Better not!”

WHAM!

“AAAHHH!”

... Needless to say, they were soon rushing to the hospital. The brothers trusted without a doubt in the reaction they expected of the other.”

I subsequently made sure to NOT rest my fingers anywhere near Jim’s chopping axe.

When we deal with God, he really wants us to come down with that asking axe of faith. He just loves it when we trust him. Prayer, as we find in #2676 of the Catechism, is the best moment for bringing down that axe. When we are confident, and persevere in asking, God moves his fingers, that is, he gives us what we need.

And instead of hearing “AAAHHH,” we will hear Jesus’ cheerful answer:

“Your faith has made you well; go in peace.”