Let them laugh; Angels: Day 147

Even devils can sometimes perform apparent miracles, says St. Augustine, and if a rumor started that one of their own “philosophers”  had done the miracles in the Scriptures, you would hear the same people who laugh at the Bible shouting in triumph.

If these objectors refuse to believe any narrative of a divine miracle, they must be refuted by another line of argument. In that case, they must not single out one particular miracle to be objected to, and called in question as incredible, but to denounce as incredible all narratives in which miracles of the same kind, or more remarkable ones, are recorded.

And yet, suppose what is written concerning Jonah were said to have been done by Apuleius of Madaura or Apollonius of Tyana—who, they boast, though unsupported by reliable testimony, performed many wonders. And even the devils do some works like those done by the holy angels—not in truth, but in appearance, and not by wisdom, but obviously by subtlety. What if some such event were narrated in connection with these men to whom they give the flattering name of magicians or philosophers? Then we should hear from their mouths sounds not of derision, but of triumph.

Well, fine—let them laugh at our Scriptures; let them laugh as much as they can, when they see themselves daily becoming fewer in number, while some are removed by death, and others by their embracing the Christian faith, and when all those things are being fulfilled which were predicted by the prophets who long ago laughed at them, and said that they would fight and bark against the truth in vain, and would gradually come over to our side; and who not only transmitted these statements to us, their descendants, for our learning, but promised that they should be fulfilled in our experience. –St. Augustine, Letter 102

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

How do I react when someone derides Scripture? Am I tempted to explain away the angels and miracles in the Bible, as if they were embarrassments? Or do I have the patience to react calmly, reasonably, and tolerantly, the way St. Augustine does?

CLOSING PRAYER

Guardian Angel, keep the truth of God’s word always before my eyes, and give me your assistance in spreading the truth to others around me.

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