January 28, 2024
Next weekend, after the Saturday morning and Sunday Masses on 2/3 and 2/4, parishioners will have the opportunity to have their throats blessed through the intercession of St. Blaise, a bishop and martyr of the early Church who, according to pious legend, healed a child choking on a fish bone.
Whether true or not, the story speaks to the powerful intercession of the saints in our lives. As they now stand before the Throne of God in adoration, they also become our faithful cheering section (so to speak) as they want nothing more than for us to one day be where they are. The saints pray for us and pray with us, bringing our needs before God just as we do for others when they ask us to pray for them.
The journey of holiness is never easy and can only be done through God’s grace and the frequent reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. But we mustn’t forget that there is an entire army of souls who are ready to step into the breach when we need them the most, and they will always bring our needs to the Father. As a wise priest once told me: “Saints are in the business of caring for future saints.” What a great thought!
The Blessing of St. Blaise is a reminder that everything we care about – including our physical health – God cares about, too. Nothing escapes His loving plan for us. That certainly brings me comfort to know; one could say it even gets me a little “choked-up.” St. Blaise, pray for us (and excuse my terrible puns).