"Miracle at Medjugorje"
PERSONAL THOUGHTS ON MEDJUGORJE
Column 5
Published Feb. 5, 1986
I had made a half-hearted promise to myself not to write about the events in Medjugorje for a while. But I find that I can't do that--at least not until I've had a chance to speak on the subject from a personal standpoint.
Medjugorje can be taken several ways. There are the curious people who like anything that is out of the ordinary just for the sake or curiosity; there are the non-believers who scoff at such nonsense that is outside the accepted see-touch category; and there are the believers. They look for signs and reasons to strengthen their faith. Sometimes they victimize themselves by trying to believe in too much.
Medjugorje can lead one into any of these, and maybe more. After all, you're looking at an event that claims something far out of the ordinary. We are told that the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is appearing to a group of young people in a remote village located in a communist country. We are told that this has been happening since June 24, 1981 -- and is continuing up to and including this very day. and we are told that it is urgent that we reconcile with God, as quickly as possible, because of the world-wide decline of faith.
If I were to be categorized within the ways given above, it would be among the curious, for that is the reason I first became interested in this unique event. I was told about it in a casual conversation and, with interest piqued, I looked into it. My feeling was that it would make a good column for Christmas. As it developed, it somehow evolved into a four-part series that went far beyond my regular column space. It became the most important thing I had done in the way of writing. At least that is the way I felt about it. Why, I did not know at the time.
Now I think I know why. The real miracle of Medjugorje is the conversion of the people who live there. It is also the conversion of those who hear about it and renew, convert, reconcile, or whatever you want to call it. It is discovery or the rediscovery of faith as it is truly meant to be. A simple reunification with God and what He wants of us.
Every day, requests come in to the office for copies of the four parts. So far, more than 135 have been received. This entails people sending in a stamped, self-addressed envelope, something most people will not do unless it is very, very important. I have received numerous phone calls and just about everywhere I go, people want to talk about Medjugorje.
Almost everyone who has written, phoned or talked to me about Medjugorje feels that something is happening there that is not to be explained by the usual scientific methods. Most accept it for what it is. Others have told me it has changed their lives. If even one feels this way, the series was worthwhile.
I personally believe the Virgin Mary is appearing in Medjugorje. I believe in it so strongly that I plan to go there sometime this year. I cannot explain the exhilaration this one event has put into my life. I believe in it so strongly that I plan to continue investigating it, reading about it and talking to people who have been there.
It is also my hope that I can receive permission to reprint in segments one of the books on Medjugorje. it is the most-up-to-date and complete, running through May, 1985.
I've always tried to write exactly what I feel or believe. That, to me, is what a writer is supposed to do. This is a little odd for me, but it is something that I felt I had to do.
Have a good week!
