Daily Gospel Reflection
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February 3, 2022
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick
–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.
He said to them,
“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them.”
So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
As so many of us have experienced over the past two years, the healthy boundaries between work and personal life have become an overwhelming blur. For example, my three-year-old nephew sits in on my Zoom calls when I’m the “auntie on duty,” and my golden retriever has become accustomed to me typing away in the home office until all hours of the evening.
I, too, like the Apostles in today’s gospel, need to be empowered and focused on the work at hand without worrying about how I will sustain or prepare over the long journey.
Jesus had immense trust and confidence in his disciples and their readiness to perform precious work. He granted them the authority not only to preach but also to act on his behalf. Further, Jesus directs his disciples to “take nothing for the journey.” Leaving behind baggage (physical, mental, or emotional) allows the disciples to focus on the moment. It requires they have faith that whatever is needed will be provided.
As an avid traveler, I receive great joy from testing how little I can pack and still prepare for whatever the trip offers. I’ve learned that carrying less allows me to be more open to opportunities as I’m less concerned about things and more focused on my new environment. I’ve discovered that anything I neglect to bring with me, can be found in whatever part of the world I’m in.
When I reflect on recent work-weeks that sometimes encompass 50+ meetings, I’m encouraged by Jesus’ message to empower those around me by focusing on the work at hand and nothing more.
As we begin to leave some of the challenges of the pandemic behind us, may we regain a more sustainable work/life balance and more trust that all we need will be provided.
Prayer
Lord, today you send your disciples out on mission, to spread the good news that the kingdom of God is now among us. You sent them two-by-two. Grant us both the zeal to spread the message of your Gospel wherever you have placed us in life, and grant us the support and encouragement of companionship in faith, that we may never lose heart in our daily efforts on your behalf. 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 Feb. 2, 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, and his image is used here with permission from Catholic.org.
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.
