RCIA Session 5 – The Miracles of Jesus Christ – Signs of Divine Authority

The Miracles of Jesus Christ — Signs of Divine Authority

RCIA – Week 5
This session forms part of a structured introduction to the Catholic Faith used in parish RCIA. It is intended to be read slowly and prayerfully, alongside participation in the life of the Church. This material is offered for formation and reflection. Reception into the Catholic Church always involves personal discernment and parish accompaniment.

Aim of this session

By the end of this session, participants should understand that:

  • miracles are not fairy tales or symbolic stories
  • miracles, if real, are signs of divine authority
  • Jesus Christ appealed to His works as evidence of His claims
  • miracles can be examined rationally
  • the Church does not ask for blind belief

This session asks: Did Jesus Christ give reasons to believe Him?

1. Why Miracles Matter

Last week we saw that Jesus Christ made extraordinary claims about Himself.

A reasonable question follows:

Why should anyone believe Him?

If Jesus claimed divine authority without evidence, His claims would be empty.

The Catholic Faith does not ask people to believe without reason.
It points to signs.

Miracles matter because:

  • they are acts beyond natural power
  • they are visible and public
  • they confirm authority

Miracles are not tricks.
They are signs that point beyond themselves.

2. What Is a Miracle?

A miracle is not:

  • something we do not yet understand
  • a coincidence we label religious
  • an emotional experience

A miracle is:

An effect produced by God which exceeds the powers of created nature.

This definition is careful:

  • it does not deny natural causes
  • it does not compete with science
  • it recognises God as the author of nature

A miracle does not break reason.
It exceeds natural power.

3. Jesus Christ Worked Miracles Publicly

Jesus Christ did not work miracles:

  • in secret
  • for entertainment
  • to impress the curious

He worked miracles:

  • publicly
  • before friends and enemies
  • in response to real need

These miracles included:

  • healing the sick
  • restoring sight
  • commanding nature
  • raising the dead

They were witnessed, remembered, and reported.

Penny Catechism

Q. Did Jesus Christ work miracles?
A. Yes, Jesus Christ worked many miracles.

This answer is not poetic language.
It is a historical claim.

4. The Purpose of the Miracles

Jesus Christ did not perform miracles to draw attention to power.

He performed them to:

  • show compassion
  • reveal God’s mercy
  • confirm His authority

He explicitly appealed to His works:

If you cannot believe My words, believe the works.

The miracles were signs that said:

God is acting here.

They pointed to who He is, not merely what He could do.

5. Can Miracles Be Examined Rationally?

Yes.

Miracles are not proved by:

  • enthusiasm
  • repetition
  • wishful thinking

They are examined by:

  • the credibility of witnesses
  • the public nature of events
  • the absence of natural explanation
  • the willingness of witnesses to suffer

False miracles collapse under scrutiny.
True ones endure examination.

The Church has always:

  • investigated claims carefully
  • rejected exaggeration
  • required evidence

The Catholic Faith does not fear inquiry.

6. Common Objections Addressed

“Miracles violate the laws of nature.”

The laws of nature describe how created things ordinarily act.
They do not limit the Creator.

“People in the past were gullible.”

People then knew the difference between illness and health, life and death, sight and blindness.

“Couldn’t miracles be legends?”

Legends grow slowly and vaguely.
The miracles of Jesus Christ are reported early, clearly, and consistently.

7. Why Miracles Matter for Faith

Miracles do not force belief.
They invite it.

They show that:

  • Jesus Christ’s authority is not self-appointed
  • God confirms His mission
  • faith is grounded in reality

Faith is not a leap into darkness.
It is a response to light.

8. What Is Being Asked of You Now

At this stage, you are not asked to:

  • accept every miracle account in detail
  • silence every question

You are asked to consider this:

If Jesus Christ worked true miracles, what do they say about who He is?

That question prepares us for what comes next.

9. Questions for the Week

Reflect quietly during the week:

  • Do I dismiss miracles without examining them?
  • What kind of evidence would I accept for divine action?
  • If God acted publicly, would I recognise it?

10. Closing Summary

Jesus Christ did not ask for blind trust.
He appealed to His works.

The Catholic Faith rests on:

  • claims
  • evidence
  • witnesses

Next week we will ask:

Did Jesus Christ rise from the dead — and what follows if He did?

Optional Closing Prayer

Almighty God,
You do not leave Yourself without witness.
Give us honesty to examine the signs You give
and humility to follow the truth wherever it leads.
Amen.