Day 78: Signs of the Kingdom

The signs worked by Jesus attest that the Father has sent him. They invite belief in him. To those who turn to him in faith, he grants what they ask. So miracles strengthen faith in the One who does his Father's works; they bear witness that he is the Son of God. But his miracles can also be occasions for "offence"; they are not intended to satisfy people's curiosity or desire for magic Despite his evident miracles some people reject Jesus; he is even accused of acting by the power of demons. CCC 548

In today's reading, the Catechism focuses on the "mighty works and wonders and signs" which reveal that He is the Messiah and that the promised kingdom of God is with Him. There are several remarkable miracles He did which witness to the truth about Him, invite sinners to believe and repent, and also strengthen the faith of those who already believe. Yet they are not "magic" or for show. Indeed, at one point He said in reply to demands for miracles, "An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah" (Matt 16:4). Miracles were important messianic signs, acts done out of love for us, but were not the reason He came into the world. As the Catechism Companion, Vol I explains:

Christ did not come to earth to preach, perform miracles, suffer, die, rise from the dead, ascend into heaven, and send us the Holy Spirit "to satisfy ... curiosity." He did those things so we could put our faith in him and trust in him. He came to save us from the slavery of sin so that we can live as God's sons and daughters in the power of the Holy Spirit. (p. 160)

Jesus also established His kingdom, which the Church is closely related to and the only means of receiving the fullness of God's graces. He is our king and the ultimate head of the Church. The Church is visible and doesn't just exist in our hearts. For this reason, Jesus gave structure to the Church with the pope and bishops who have authority to act as His spiritual vicars or viceroys here on earth. It is to St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, that he entrusted  the "keys of the kingdom of heaven" with the power to "bind and loose" (Matt 16:19). As the Catechism notes:

The power to "bind and loose" connotes the authority to absolve sins, to pronounce doctrinal judgements, and to make disciplinary decisions in the Church. Jesus entrusted this authority to the Church through the ministry of the apostles and in particular through the ministry of Peter, the only one to whom he specifically entrusted the keys of the kingdom. CCC 553

Raising of Lazarus, 6th-century, mosaic, church of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, Italy