2/3/2012 – Sirach 47:2-11; Mark 6:14-29 – Friday of fourth week – St Blaise -

         In our readings today, we hear about 2 different kings of Israel.  From Sirach, we hear a summary of the story of King David.  From our readings from the 2^nd Book of Samuel these past few weeks, we know that David committed adultery with Bathsheba and was not always obedient to God, but that he had many admirable qualities as well.  We also hear about King Herod today, about how he had impure thoughts about his own step-daughter, about how this led to promises that ended with the imprisonment and death of John the Baptist, even though Herod's conscience told him that this was not the right thing to do. 

         The difference between these 2 kings is that David was repentant of his sins & that he always desired to serve God in his heart.  David had his weaknesses & was often led astray, but he always returned to God & repented, he always sought the strength of the Lord rather than relying upon his own strength alone.  David's sins were forgiven, and God made great promises to David & his ancestors.  In thinking about David, we might ask ourselves if we rely on our own strength and will too much rather than putting our trust in the Lord?

         As we hear about King David & King Herod today from the Bible, we're reminded that we also have so much that we believe as a Church that is not in Scripture, that is a part of sacred Tradition and the teachings of the Magisterium.  We celebrate St. Blaise today, and the traditional blessing of the throats with candles that we receive on this feast day is one of the beloved devotional traditions of our faith.  Blaise, a bishop in Sebastea, Armenia, was martyred in 316, only 5 years after religious tolerance was granted to Christianity in the Roman Empire.  During the religious persecutions that still raged there even in this era of supposed tolerance, Blaise hid out and lived as a hermit in solitude and prayer.  Legend has it that as Blaise was captured, but when he was being hauled off to prison, he came upon a mother & her young son.  The young son was choking on a fish bone lodged in his throat.  At Blaise's command, the boy coughed up the bone and his life was saved.  After repeated beatings and torture for refusing to worship foreign idols, Blaise was beheaded and has long been remembered as a martyr of our faith. 

         As we receive special blessings through the intercessions of St. Blaise on his feast day, may we give thanks for the community of saints, for those who have passed down the faith to us, & for the blessings & graces from God that we receive each day. 

Blessing of the throat that you will receive at daily mass today ---

Through the intercessions of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may the Lord deliver you from any ailments of the throat and all other diseases and illnesses.  May Almighty God bless you – Father, Son, & Holy Spirit.  AMEN.