Difference between God’s miracle and demonic miracle – Metropolitan of Strumica Nahum
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The Gospel event about the storm on the sea and Peter walking on the water has already been interpreted, and if I remember correctly, the explanation comes down to the fact that the boat symbolizes the Holy Church, the storm symbolizes the temptations (tribulations) which the Church undergoes throughout history and that God allows these temptations – for us to become conscious, repent and truly ask Him to come and save us. As for the Apostle (Peter), people debate about his faith and unbelief, on which depended his walking and sinking into the water.
In the previous homily, I explained that God works miracles where there is no other solution, and at the same time there is a basis and need for a miracle; when for the sake of Him and His love and for the love for our neighbours (fellow men) we suffer or give from that which is not even enough for ourselves – then there is no other solution except a miracle, in order to satisfy the needs of all who have need of a miracle.
The Holy Martyrs are good examples in this case, they give their lives for the testimony of Christ and for the salvation of men; then we see many miracles both during their testimony through martyrdom and after their repose. Also, another good example is the true monks – they also give their whole life into the hands of God through wholehearted obedience, that is why the gifts of God of the miraculous prayer of the mind in the heart (Jesus prayer), can especially be seen amongst (at most of) them, and, because of this the world still exists.
The question that arises now is: was there a basis for a miracle in the case of the Apostle Peter? Does he give something that is not even enough for himself, i.e. Is he sacrificing himself for his neighbours or seeking something that is not usual in fallen human nature? Is what he seeks only for himself, in front of an audience, or for Christ and His love, as well as for the love for the neighbours, or is it for something else? And was the word of Christ “come” a blessing or a forced blessing?
It is difficult to answer these questions in the affirmative – that is why Peter fell into the water; not so much due to of lack of faith, but because of lack of basis for the miracle. And when there is no basis, faith is in vain. Faith is not an unnecessary exhibition: “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here! For it is written, ‘He shall give his angels charge over You, to keep You’ “(Luke 4: 9-10). And what answer did the devil get? “You shall not tempt the Lord your God” (Luke 4:12).
This is the difference between God’s miracles and demonic miracles. One happens when we suffer or give even though we do not have enough for ourselves, in the utmost need and dire situation, because of the testimony of God, for God and for His love, which automatically means for the salvation of all people. The other miracle occurs for the sake of seeking, pride, human and demonic glory, and for the sake of keeping people in fear and bondage. With this second type of miracles the coming of the foolish antichrist will concur. And so people have always sought miracles more than they have sought God.
Faith does not come from miracles, but miracles come from faith confirmed by deeds.
A strange character is the Apostle Peter, after all, like all of us. In his hagiography, as well as in ours, we notice many falls, even heavy falls as well as repeated standing ups, but his hagiography ends holy – with martyrdom by bearing witness of his Teacher, the God-Man Jesus Christ, and in regard to our hagiography, we are yet to see … He is a true spiritual warrior – not even one defeat shook him enough to bring the spiritual war to the end. How wrong are those who judge a person for just one fall?
Be sure to go to confession and receive communion, before you do anything important in your life and before any important event occurs. The same goes for the children, make sure that they have received communion, those of you who have children …
Most Holy Mother of God, through the prayers of the Apostle Peter, help us as well, to finish the spiritual war with victory – God’s miracle! Because there is no other way.
Metropolitan of Strumica Nahum
(21.08.2021 15:29)
