APPEARANCES

Blog 234

February 21, 2022

MIRACLES NEVER CEASE!

Robert Wise explores the world of divine interventions from an objective point of view. An Archbishop in the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches with a Ph.D., Rev. Wise relates his interviews with persons who experienced the touch of God.

APPEARANCES

Part 2

Last week I recommended Wayne Weible’s Medjugorje :The Message (published in 1989, Paraclete Press) suggesting you would be moved by his accounts. I noted that Christians generally say the Apostle’s Creed affirming their belief in “the communion of the saints,” a conviction that departed saints continue to interact with believers even after they have entered eternity. Not a new idea, it’s been part of the Christian faith for 2,000 years.

Protestant Weible’s book describes the appearances of the Virgin Mary in the Yugoslavian town of Medjugorje. I noted such an encounter happened at Guadalupe that began the conversion of Mexico. The appearance of Mary to Bernadette Soubirous at Lourdes, France created the healing water of Lourdes where to this day people receive remarkable healings. The appearances of Mary at Fatima in 1917 related important vital messages for the world. At the time the Communist revolution was exploding. Mary instructed the visionaries (and everyone) to pray for its removal and spiritual renewal to follow. Decades later this occurred in December 1991. Mary also gave insight into the attempt to execute a Pope which happened to John Paul II. That past history can be confirmed.

As I studied these appearances, I noticed a “spin-off” effect from such appearances, empowering and enriching bystanders. People in the vicinity of the appearances or even away at a great distance received extraordinary results themselves. Rita Klaus experienced that blessing.

For 25 years, she struggled with Multiple Sclerosis.A teacher from Evans City, Pennsylvania, Rita attended a retreat at Ephrata House that communicates the story of Medjugorje. Later in the day Rita went to a church service when she felt someone grab her from behind. She felt a wonderful sense of peace surge through her body. The years of suffering with the disease suddenly disappeared.

Rita’s illness had affected her ability to teach and brought added stress on the family. She was unable to perform her usual tasks. Her legs became severely deformed and her bones bowed. Rita’s right knee cap became displaced and had to be removed. She entered a rehabilitation hospital and prepared to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair.

Laying in bed, Rita heard a voice say, “Why don’t you ask me?” She knew that in the Virgin Mary’s appearances she had told people to pray to her son for healing. Mary always pointed to Jesus. Rita began praying with her whole heart. A “bubbly” feeling surged through her body. Rita finally drifted off to sleep.

The next morning her husband helped her into the wheelchair preparing to attend a Scripture class that morning. Rita was sitting in the session when she began to experience a warmth in her feet and legs along with an intense itching. Abruptly, she began wiggling her previously immobile toes. Rita was dumbfounded.

When she returned home, she knew something was different. While wearing heavy braces on her legs, she could struggle along on crutches. Rita was getting out of the car when she discovered she could take a few steps with no difficulty. Her heart was pounding! Could it be?

Once in the house, she unlocked her braces. Rita couldn’t believe her eyes. Her right leg was completely straight. Two previous surgeries had not been able to correct the problem. Rita couldn’t believe her eyes. Both legs were normal.

Rita began screaming that her legs were healed. She kept saying, “Thank you Jesus. Thank you blessed Mother!” For the first time in years, Rita stood up on her legs unassisted. She walked down the hallway. Astonished, she walked back shouting, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

Weeping and laughing, Rita called her pastor who immediately suggested she see a doctor. Her two daughters were shocked because they had never seen their mother without her handicap. The family cried together for joy.

Rita’s doctor examined her and kept muttering, “Tis can’t be! This can’t happen! It’s impossible! The doctor thought maybe he was talking to Rita’s twin sister. The doctor examined Rita at the hospital for confirmation. He begged her to tell him how this could have occurred. Rita related that people had prayed for her for years, but that she only prayed once.

Since that day, Rita Klaus has shared her story over and over again. Her explanation? Just another example of the “communion of the saints.”

Remember to expect the unexpected.

I have a new book coming out.

MAN ON FIRE can be ordered on Amazon or at your local book store.