As we continue to reflect upon the gift of miracles, I have my own miracle story to share.
When I was a seminarian living my pastoral year at Saint Sylvester’s Church in City Line, Brooklyn, one day in late October I had accepted an invitation attend a friend’s musical recital held at Queens College. So at mid-morning I set out for the college by car. At that time in my life, as a young (and stubborn) man, I almost never wore my seat belt. As I left the parish, this day was no exception.
During my drive, I stopped three times at red lights- the last situating me on Woodhaven Blvd near the old Drake Theater. Interestingly enough, as soon as I left the parish, I felt uneasy and could sense, as if someone were speaking to me in my mind, that I needed to put my seat belt on. I ignored it for a time until I was stopped at a red light for the second time. At that point, the feeling was overwhelming and so I put my belt on. I did not realize how important that action was until I stopped the third time at another red light. It was at that moment that a truck driving over 45 mph struck my car from behind, causing it to be propelled almost 200 feet up Woodhaven Blvd. The last memory I had was to see the bumper of the truck shatter my hatch door.
When I regained consciousness, a policeman was standing on the roof of my car (which had buckled) and I was lying on my back (with my seat broken) and the bumper of the truck only three inches from my head. I was able to get out of the car, without any serious injury. After I was taken to the hospital, I was quickly released. Later on that day, after I arrived home, I also realized that I did not even have a single scratch!
As I reflect back to that singular day of grace in my life, I know that miracles are real. We need to learn how to see them, and at times even listen for them!
The previous reflection originally appeared on Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Facebook page. Follow the Bishop for daily reflections and weekly videos!
