Fr. Jozo Zovko expressed
his conviction that the greatest miracle was the interior one. He told
of two Italian women who had arrived in their wheelchairs:
“The
elder of the two women was healed. The younger, Manuela, remained in
her wheelchair. The one who was healed returned home, delighted at being
able to walk again; Manuela stayed behind to give thanks and praise to
God.
They had both come with the desire to be healed, and they were both healed. But healing is not only physical; it is something that takes place in the heart. Manuela was healed in her heart. Full of joy, she praised God for having come to her, for shedding light on the cross she carried, for showing her its value and meaning. She understood that from her wheelchair she could bring people spiritual solace, telling them about the love of God, about goodness, about the wisdom that patience can bring. Manuela took a far greater joy home in her heart than the woman who went home able to walk.
They had both come with the desire to be healed, and they were both healed. But healing is not only physical; it is something that takes place in the heart. Manuela was healed in her heart. Full of joy, she praised God for having come to her, for shedding light on the cross she carried, for showing her its value and meaning. She understood that from her wheelchair she could bring people spiritual solace, telling them about the love of God, about goodness, about the wisdom that patience can bring. Manuela took a far greater joy home in her heart than the woman who went home able to walk.
The
grace of Confession in Medjugorje – the healing of the soul. The
individual must be healed, before the family can be healed. Once the
family is healed, then nations can be healed. Once nations are healed,
the world is healed. Our Lady said on August 6, 1982: “…Confession will be a remedy for the Church in the West…”
Another priest relayed that he met a young man from Italy in front of St. James Church. This young man stated:
“I
have heard about Medjugorje and the miraculous events here from
friends. What is happening here in fact, I myself experienced at the
beginning of December in 1988. Here I actually experienced, in a
miraculous way, my own conversion. If I say that I was the biggest
sinner in the world, maybe it sounds unbelievable. I do not know whether
there is any sin I did not have already on my soul. I was a drug addict
too. Nothing has brought me happiness and joy in life, least of the
sin. I was fed up with everything, so I tried several times to bring
everything to an end by committing suicide. It became clear to me why I
am still alive. At this place where Heaven opens, where Our Lady is
seen, I have prayed this:
‘Our Lady, Jesus’
Mother, and my Mother, I believe that You came here. You came here for
my sake too. I pray to you, to recommend me to Your Son. Obtain for me
the mercy of conversion. I am sure you can do it and that Your Son will
answer Your prayer. I cannot live like this any longer. This is not
life. Our Lady, if You do not help me, I do not know where to go. I
cannot go back like this. Queen of Peace obtain for me peace from Your
Son! Please, help me.’