+ Today we celebrate the feast of St. Blaise, (who died around the year 316), an early bishop of Sebaste in Armenia
who was martyred under the emperor Licinius. He is also one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, a group of saints
to whom there was much popular devotion in Germany in the 14th and
15th centuries. Little is known about his life. One legend has him
saving the life of a boy with a fish bone caught in his throat. The boy’s
mother is said to have brought Blaise food and candles when he was imprisoned. Thus
we have the use of two candles held in the form of the St. Andrew’s cross to
bless throats on this day. This custom, still in use today, supports the
Church’s belief in the intercessory power of the saints against ailments of not
only the throat but of the whole body! It is Christ who heals, but through the
intercession of not only Fourteen, but many thousands of helpers.
Our first reading today for
Mass, tells us to boast not only of the
good things that happen to us, even the answer to our prayers for healing, but
also for our afflictions – for these produce endurance, character and hope
– that one day Christ will heal all that needs healing in everyone. The gospel
passage recommends the sick to the “elders” – the priests – who are to lay hands on them for their restoration and
recovery; if done with faith, much transformation and renewal can take
place in the ailing person.
The
Lord is with us always, especially now in his Church, and in its
ministers! Amen.
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