IT’S A FLAMIN’ MIRACLE

Romans 1:12: ..that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. As told by a Parishioner with a lifelong love of Mary and Jesus. She wakes every morning, praying: “I kiss the Cross of Jesus, and live by his Cross.’ Many years ago, while driving along the highway from one small country town to another, she noticed smoke and flames rising from under her bonnet. She quickly pulled over and escaped from the car. It wasn’t a moment too soon. Fire quickly tore through her Renault. Terrified she remembers running from the blaze, screaming her prayers at the top of her lungs. “Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee.’ No cars in either direction. Sobbing from shock and fright, she continued with her prayers. ‘Holy Mary, Mother of God.’ Finally, someone drove by and called the police and fire brigade. (One daughter remembers the day her Mum came home in a police car.) Later that afternoon, a man from the wreckers, Catholic and known to the family, rang her husband. “Hey mate, I think you should bring your Missus down. There’s something you both should see.” Down they went. Peter showed them the bottle of Holy Water found in the Renault’s glove box. It was in the normal clear plastic bottle many of us use. INTACT! Hard plastics in the car were buckled and blistered, yet this little bottle showed no warping. The bottle had taken on the brown/grey hue from the fire, yet it had retained its original shape and still held its inch of Holy Water. The sticker on the bottle, on which she had written ‘Holy Water’ and ‘My Blessed Mother’ was singed with very small marks along its four sides. However, unbelievably, the entire centre of the sticker was pristine white. Although she had to fight the fear of fastening her seatbelt for many months, she firmly believes both Mary and Jesus were with her that day. She never starts any car journey, long or short, without a prayer to her Blessed Mother and kissing a cross, hanging in her car, praying the words, ‘I kiss the Cross of Jesus, and drive by his Cross’ nor ends any journey without a prayer of thanksgiving. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) Miracles happen when you believe in God.