Any speculation, however simple, is usually full of conjecture and, for the most part, lacks supporting evidence. Thus, we see daily speculations arising from the possibilities in the Wall Street market, and from there, hypotheses emerge regarding how the Stock Exchange will behave. Some will win, and others will lose. That's the way the market works. Of course, this occurs in the field of economics, which many people are very familiar with, but in no case are these anything more than theories and assumptions that lead us by the hand toward a quagmire impossible to decipher with certainty.  

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And what happens in the market is not an isolated case. There are also conjectures in areas as serious as economics, and these are the ones that, due to certain characteristics, are supported by one sector of the population and disapproved of by others. Therefore, I will delve into perhaps more thorny or obscure topics, but which I consider appropriate to give weight to speculation in highly regarded spheres. And I am referring to the apparitions of saints and virgins in various centuries and regions, totaling approximately 2,500 visions—according to the latest statistics—of which the Vatican has recognized only 16, perhaps to validate them and not miss the opportunity to attract and support parishioners. 

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Let's take these cases as an example: 

The Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to the indigenous man Saint Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill, near Mexico City, in December 1531. 

The Virgin of Charity of El Cobre supposedly made her appearance in Cuba between 1612 and 1613, floating in Nipe Bay and seen by two indigenous brothers and a black child. 

The Virgin of Lourdes appeared in February 1858 in the grotto of Massabielle, near Lourdes, France, and was reported by a 14-year-old girl: Saint Bernadette Soubirous. 

The Virgin of Fatima first appeared on May 13, 1917 to three shepherd children: Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta in the Cova da Iria neighborhood, in Fatima, Portugal. 

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A simple, superficial analysis reveals that, in each case, the alleged witnesses to these apparitions were either poorly educated individuals or impressionable children who may have been manipulated by others to recite a script convenient to certain speculations. There is no verifiable evidence that can be given the seriousness each event deserves, but there are countless vested interests behind these accounts. 

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What has happened to these episodes? Well, perhaps due to tradition, or maybe the need to thrill the masses in each episode, the stories have been shaped in such a way that countless people believe them wholeheartedly, blindly. Of course, they all have a religious root in their history, and this allows them to be influenced by those beliefs in some way. 

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The topic is compelling and ever-present in the daily course of human existence. Therefore, to continue, I will delve into even more treacherous territory: “miracles.” Haven't you heard a relative, friend, neighbor, coworker, or classmate say they know of a “miracle” that happened to someone in their circle or environment? Of course you have. Miracles are popular among the masses and spread like wildfire. 

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Consider this example: While trying to cross a busy street, a young man is hit by a car. Someone calls an ambulance, and he is taken to the nearest hospital. Did it occur to no one to take him to a church, temple, synagogue, mosque, or any other place of worship? Of course not. The young man is saved by the professional care at the hospital, and days later he is walking down the street, while behind his back, people are saying that "he was saved by a miracle."

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Something similar happens when an elderly person, a woman, or a child contracts a serious illness and is taken to the nearest medical center. The family gathers there, and many offer a prayer to the Blessed Sacrament or to an image of another faith—according to their religious beliefs. After several days, the patient is discharged, recovered, and all those who prayed for them express their gratitude for the spiritual connection they had with their respective deities.

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The aforementioned farces occur daily in today's society and depend on many factors that play a significant role in the recovery of the injured or ill. Each person attributes the recovery of those taken to the appropriate center to the factor of their choosing. That's how it is. However, many will claim to have played a part in the rehabilitation and convalescence of the person who has been the victim of an accident or serious illness, and that, thanks to their intervention, the person has recovered. Unfortunately, very few acknowledge the importance of science, represented by surgeons, doctors, nurses, and other support staff, as well as the importance of medications and technological advancements. 

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And besides these examples, we may also be influenced by the terminology instilled in us daily by various institutions and individuals whom we, above all, respect. Thus, we shouldn't be surprised by clichés like "Thanks be to the Lord," "God willing," "May the Lord intervene," and countless other expressions that suggest salvation is due to spiritual mediation. 

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I must clarify that I am not against any of these positions. Everyone believes what they deem appropriate, and I wholeheartedly respect any point of view, regardless of its origin. I feel and profess a deep respect for this attitude. However, in keeping with the same principle, we should all show consideration and respect for the opinions of others. This is not at all about subservience to such broad and complex issues, but simply about being tolerant of what does not align with our judgments about what is happening around us. Let us remember that no one possesses the absolute truth. Only in this way can we sit down and talk with anyone, anywhere—in a restaurant, theater, church, temple, place of worship, park, movie theater, and so on—and enjoy a friendly and empathetic conversation that leaves us wanting to continue the discussion in the future. 

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And, subordinating myself to these patterns of behavior, I must add, to please everyone, a well-known phrase that defined much of universal history, and this is:

“Peace here and glory in heaven!”