(Optional) Memorial of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr
(II Samuel 18:9-10.14b.24-25a.30-19:3; Mark 5:21-43)
Today’s rather obscure patron saint is one of the most
celebrated by the people. The reason, of
course, is the long tradition of blessing throats with candles, themselves
blessed yesterday, “Candlemas Day.”
The gospels report that Jesus worked many healings like the
two done in today’s passage. He cured
sickness and expelled demons to show that the Kingdom of God has indeed come upon
the world. The Kingdom promises
wholeness to loving believers although not immediate cure of every
illness. Healed or not on earth, they
will experience the fulness of health in eternal life.
Today’s blessing should not be taken as a vaccine for throat
disease. It is a request for healing of
every kind – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. It is said that St. Blaise’s prayers saved a boy
from choking on a fishbone. May his
prayers clear our throats as well to profess faith in God and to tell of God’s
glory.
