Daily Gospel Reflection
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February 3, 2019
Jesus began speaking in the synagogue, saying:
“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
And all spoke highly of him
and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.
They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?”
He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb,
‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say,
‘Do here in your native place
the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.'”
And he said, “Amen, I say to you,
no prophet is accepted in his own native place.
Indeed, I tell you,
there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah
when the sky was closed for three and a half years
and a severe famine spread over the entire land.
It was to none of these that Elijah was sent,
but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon.
Again, there were many lepers in Israel
during the time of Elisha the prophet;
yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”
When the people in the synagogue heard this,
they were all filled with fury.
They rose up, drove him out of the town,
and led him to the brow of the hill
on which their town had been built,
to hurl him down headlong.
But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went away.
Every once in a while, a Notre Dame library-goer got lucky enough to share the elevator with Father Hesburgh. One such time, Father Ted was being escorted by an NDSP officer up to the top floor and was talking about a priest on campus. Father Ted said to the officer, “He’s a good priest, you should go see him.” To which the officer said, “Oh, well, I’m not Catholic.” Father Ted responded immediately with, “Well, we love you just the same.”
Think about how powerful those words are. I’ve heard it said that there is no force in the world better able to alter anything from its course than love. I doubt that officer was expecting Father Ted’s loving, welcoming response.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus presents himself as a prophet, connecting himself to Elijah and Elisha who came before him. Our baptism calls us to share in their mission as the prophets of today. Father Ted demonstrated exactly what it means to be a prophet in today’s world. A prophet brings God’s message of unconditional love to the world through words and actions. There is a certain “no matter whatness” to this—no matter what, we love you.
How can we make the message of the Gospel fresh for those for whom it has become stale, or for those who may have never truly encountered the fullness of God’s love? With all the hurt and anxieties in our world, what the world needs most is unconditional love. Let’s reconnect with our baptismal promise to be prophets and, like Father Ted in that elevator, surprise those least expecting it with love.
Prayer
Lord, how easily we label those who are not part of our little group of like-minded souls, or those who upset the nice comfortable status quo, or those who are—to put it gently—different. Forgive us, Father, for we do not know what we do. We say we want to be close to you, to listen to you, yet we deliberately shut out those through whom you might be speaking to us, or channeling your grace and help. Our heads and hearts see the folly in this, but our fear keeps us holding “them” at arm’s length. Help us, please. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Many Catholics are familiar with St. Blaise because he is associated with a special blessing of the throats that is given on this day.
Blaise was born to a wealthy family of noble heritage in present-day Armenia in the fourth century. He received a good education—some accounts tell us that he was a physician before he was named a bishop.
During a persecution of Christians, Blaise escaped arrest by living in a cave. There are many stories about him interacting with wild animals during his hiding. People sought him out there to ask for his intercession because he was known for curing the sick.
One woman came to him with her little boy, who was close to dying because he had a fishbone stuck in his throat. Blaise healed the boy; this event and others like it has made him the patron saint of those with throat trouble.
He was eventually discovered and brought to authorities. While he was being transported to prison, the arresting party came across a poor woman in distress. The woman depended upon her pig for her livelihood, but a wolf had carried the pig away. At the command of St. Blaise, the wolf returned it unharmed.
While he was imprisoned, Blaise was beaten and starved. The woman whose pig he saved brought him food, and she also brought him candles so that he would not have to sit in the dark of his dungeon. Eventually, Blaise was tortured and beheaded.
The story of the throat miracle and the candles in the dungeon are the origins of the special blessing of the throats that is given today with candles. Traditionally, the candles are blessed on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas.
Priests hold these candles in the shape of an “X” and place them over the head or under the chin, and extend this prayer: “Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
The Church prays in a special way today for all of those who are sick, as well as those who care for them. St. Blaise’s relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
St. Blaise, who saved a boy from choking to death and intercedes for those facing illness—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Blaise is in the public domain. Modified from the original. Last accessed January 23, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
