We have been hearing from the letter to the Hebrews in our daily masses these past several weeks. Today’s message from Hebrews tells us to look at the pains and sufferings that we have in our lives, but that we should not be discouraged by these experiences, nor should we take them lightly. The Hebrews saw their trials and sufferings as a form or punishment or rejection by God. However, the author of Hebrews advises them to approach these trails as a form of discipline or training.
Throughout the history of Christianity, humans have wondered why God would allow us to suffer if he was omniscient and all-powerful. The great medieval Catholic philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas outlined two criteria for human suffering. First, he asserted that humans suffer when we are not able to be who we ought to be, when we are not able to realize our full potential. Second, when we are kept from the desire of our hearts. Notice that Aquinas does not list physical pain as a necessary component of human suffering. According to Aquinas, God allows us to suffer because it brings us closer to our full potential and to the desires of our heart, even if it doesn’t seem that way at first. An interesting idea for us to ponder.
Today, February 3, is known for St Blaise and the blessing of throats that is a popular tradition in the Catholic faith on this day. We had the blessing fo the throats at our masses over the weekend. Blaise was martyred in 316 in the city in Armenia where he served as Bishop. Tradition holds that as Bishop, Blaise worked very hard for the spiritual, physical, and overall well-being of his people. Blaise fled his city during a time of terrible persecution. Legend has it that when Blaise was found hiding in a cave, he was captured by hunters and hauled off to prison. On his journey to prison, a mother approached Blaise with her young son who had a fish bone lodged in his throat. At Blaise’s command, the child was able to cough up the bone. This is why we have the blessing of the throats in honor of St Blaise on his feast day. Blaise was beheaded when he refused to worship foreign idols. We honor St Blaise today and the example of faith that he passes down to us.
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