3 February 2022
Optional Memorial of Saint Blase, bishop and martyr/ Optional Memorial of Saint Ansgar, bishop
In the first reading of today’s Mass we learn of the death of David. He was a man singularly talented. When we first meet him, he was “ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance.” Later, he proved to be extraordinary on the battle field, a musician of sorts with a talent for friendship, loyalty, generosity and honor. Then, he sought satisfaction in lust and this led him to follow the road to sins he probably thought he could never commit.
At last, he acknowledged the reality of his sin, repented, and, because if his mistake, was able to have a deeper insight into God’s mercy and his own vocation, an insight and sorrow he expressed in his Psalm 51. Finally, he died.
His death is an invitation to each one of us to reflect on our own death. When, where and how it will occur, we do not know, but that it will happen we do know. and it will come about sooner than we imagine. It will be then we will know what we had once thought would be for our good was, in reality, vanity.
Such thoughts should also incite us to work and pray for the sanctification of others, especially today for the young Davids in our world who are faced with so many temptations, and on this the feast of St. Blase, for the sick and the end of the pandemic, and to St. Ansgar, for the struggling Church in Scandinavia.