3 February 2023

Optional Memorial of Saint Blase, bishop and martyr

Today is the feast day of St. Blaise bishop and martyr. The annual blessing of the throats in Church derives its connection to St. Blaise because he was a doctor and often worked to heal people even those with ailments of the throat.

While he was skilled in the medicine of his day, we remember him for his spiritual medicine that he helped others receive and, most importantly, that he himself practiced. In the first reading, we read “the Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid.” Jesus challenges his disciples to discover the blessedness of witnessing to Christ: “Blessed are you when people persecute you for my sake.” This beatitude can only be lived if the scripture words about the Lord is my helper who casts out fear sinks into the depths of our hearts. Martyrdom is not possible without love and trust of God. St. Blaise embodies this trust and dependence on God in his life and in his death. On his feast day, let us pray to grow in our trust and dependence upon God that he is our true helper who casts out fear. With this spiritual security and boldness may we witness to Christ in our lives come what may.