Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 02-03-15, OM, St. Blaise, Bishop & Martyr, St. Ansgar, Bishop

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 02-03-15 | Revised New American Bible

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Mark
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Mark 5
21.	And when Jesus had passed again in the ship over the strait, a great multitude assembled together unto him, and he was nigh unto the sea.	Et cum transcendisset Jesus in navi rursum trans fretum, convenit turba multa ad eum, et erat circa mare.	και διαπερασαντος του ιησου εν τω πλοιω παλιν εις το περαν συνηχθη οχλος πολυς επ αυτον και ην παρα την θαλασσαν
22.	And there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue named Jairus: and seeing him, falleth down at his feet.	Et venit quidam de archisynagogis nomine Jairus, et videns eum procidit ad pedes ejus,	και ιδου ερχεται εις των αρχισυναγωγων ονοματι ιαειρος και ιδων αυτον πιπτει προς τους ποδας αυτου
23.	And he besought him much, saying: My daughter is at the point of death, come, lay thy hand upon her, that she may be safe, and may live.	et deprecabatur eum multum, dicens : Quoniam filia mea in extremis est, veni, impone manum super eam, ut salva sit, et vivat.	και παρεκαλει αυτον πολλα λεγων οτι το θυγατριον μου εσχατως εχει ινα ελθων επιθης αυτη τας χειρας οπως σωθη και ζησεται
24.	And he went with him, and a great multitude followed him, and they thronged him.	Et abiit cum illo, et sequebatur eum turba multa, et comprimebant eum.	και απηλθεν μετ αυτου και ηκολουθει αυτω οχλος πολυς και συνεθλιβον αυτον
25.	And a woman who was under an issue of blood twelve years,	Et mulier, quæ erat in profluvio sanguinis annis duodecim,	και γυνη τις ουσα εν ρυσει αιματος ετη δωδεκα
26.	And had suffered many things from many physicians; and had spent all that she had, and was nothing the better, but rather worse,	et fuerat multa perpessa a compluribus medicis : et erogaverat omnia sua, nec quidquam profecerat, sed magis deterius habebat :	και πολλα παθουσα υπο πολλων ιατρων και δαπανησασα τα παρ αυτης παντα και μηδεν ωφεληθεισα αλλα μαλλον εις το χειρον ελθουσα
27.	When she had heard of Jesus, came in the crowd behind him, and touched his garment.	cum audisset de Jesu, venit in turba retro, et tetigit vestimentum ejus :	ακουσασα περι του ιησου ελθουσα εν τω οχλω οπισθεν ηψατο του ιματιου αυτου
28.	For she said: If I shall touch but his garment, I shall be whole.	dicebat enim : Quia si vel vestimentum ejus tetigero, salva ero.	ελεγεν γαρ οτι καν των ιματιων αυτου αψωμαι σωθησομαι
29.	And forthwith the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the evil.	Et confestim siccatus est fons sanguinis ejus : et sensit corpore quia sanata esset a plaga.	και ευθεως εξηρανθη η πηγη του αιματος αυτης και εγνω τω σωματι οτι ιαται απο της μαστιγος
30.	And immediately Jesus knowing in himself the virtue that had proceeded from him, turning to the multitude, said: Who hath touched my garments?	Et statim Jesus in semetipso cognoscens virtutem quæ exierat de illo, conversus ad turbam, aiebat : Quis tetigit vestimenta mea ?	και ευθεως ο ιησους επιγνους εν εαυτω την εξ αυτου δυναμιν εξελθουσαν επιστραφεις εν τω οχλω ελεγεν τις μου ηψατο των ιματιων
31.	And his disciples said to him: Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou who hath touched me?	Et dicebant ei discipuli sui : Vides turbam comprimentem te, et dicis : Quis me tetigit ?	και ελεγον αυτω οι μαθηται αυτου βλεπεις τον οχλον συνθλιβοντα σε και λεγεις τις μου ηψατο
32.	And he looked about to see her who had done this.	Et circumspiciebat videre eam, quæ hoc fecerat.	και περιεβλεπετο ιδειν την τουτο ποιησασαν
33.	But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.	Mulier vero timens et tremens, sciens quod factum esset in se, venit et procidit ante eum, et dixit ei omnem veritatem.	η δε γυνη φοβηθεισα και τρεμουσα ειδυια ο γεγονεν επ αυτη ηλθεν και προσεπεσεν αυτω και ειπεν αυτω πασαν την αληθειαν
34.	And he said to her: Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole: go in peace, and be thou whole of thy disease.	Ille autem dixit ei : Filia, fides tua te salvam fecit : vade in pace, et esto sana a plaga tua.	ο δε ειπεν αυτη θυγατερ η πιστις σου σεσωκεν σε υπαγε εις ειρηνην και ισθι υγιης απο της μαστιγος σου
35.	While he was yet speaking, some come from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying: Thy daughter is dead: why dost thou trouble the master any further?	Adhuc eo loquente, veniunt ab archisynagago, dicentes : Quia filia tua mortua est : quid ultra vexas magistrum ?	ετι αυτου λαλουντος ερχονται απο του αρχισυναγωγου λεγοντες οτι η θυγατηρ σου απεθανεν τι ετι σκυλλεις τον διδασκαλον
36.	But Jesus having heard the word that was spoken, saith to the ruler of the synagogue: Fear not, only believe.	Jesus autem audito verbo quod dicebatur, ait archisynagogo : Noli timere : tantummodo crede.	ο δε ιησους ευθεως ακουσας τον λογον λαλουμενον λεγει τω αρχισυναγωγω μη φοβου μονον πιστευε
37.	And he admitted not any man to follow him, but Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.	Et non admisit quemquam se sequi nisi Petrum, et Jacobum, et Joannem fratrem Jacobi.	και ουκ αφηκεν ουδενα αυτω συνακολουθησαι ει μη πετρον και ιακωβον και ιωαννην τον αδελφον ιακωβου
38.	And they come to the house of the ruler of the synagogue; and he seeth a tumult, and people weeping and wailing much.	Et veniunt in domum archisynagogi, et videt tumultum, et flentes, et ejulantes multum.	και ερχεται εις τον οικον του αρχισυναγωγου και θεωρει θορυβον κλαιοντας και αλαλαζοντας πολλα
39.	And going in, he saith to them: Why make you this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.	Et ingressus, ait illis : Quid turbamini, et ploratis ? puella non est mortua, sed dormit.	και εισελθων λεγει αυτοις τι θορυβεισθε και κλαιετε το παιδιον ουκ απεθανεν αλλα καθευδει
40.	And they laughed him to scorn. But he having put them all out, taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.	Et irridebant eum. Ipse vero ejectis omnibus assumit patrem, et matrem puellæ, et qui secum erant, et ingreditur ubi puella erat jacens.	και κατεγελων αυτου ο δε εκβαλων παντας παραλαμβανει τον πατερα του παιδιου και την μητερα και τους μετ αυτου και εισπορευεται οπου ην το παιδιον ανακειμενον
41.	And taking the damsel by the hand, he saith to her: Talitha cumi, which is, being interpreted: Damsel (I say to thee) arise.	Et tenens manum puellæ, ait illi : Talitha cumi, quod est interpretatum : Puella (tibi dico), surge.	και κρατησας της χειρος του παιδιου λεγει αυτη ταλιθα κουμι ο εστιν μεθερμηνευομενον το κορασιον σοι λεγω εγειραι
42.	And immediately the damsel rose up, and walked: and she was twelve years old: and they were astonished with a great astonishment.	Et confestim surrexit puella, et ambulabat : erat autem annorum duodecim : et obstupuerunt stupore magno.	και ευθεως ανεστη το κορασιον και περιεπατει ην γαρ ετων δωδεκα και εξεστησαν εκστασει μεγαλη
43.	And he charged them strictly that no man should know it: and commanded that something should be given her to eat.	Et præcepit illis vehementer ut nemo id sciret : et dixit dari illi manducare.	και διεστειλατο αυτοις πολλα ινα μηδεις γνω τουτο και ειπεν δοθηναι αυτη φαγειν

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21. And when Jesus was passed over again by ship to the other side, much people gathered to him: and He was nigh to the sea.
22. And, behold, there comes one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
23. And besought him greatly, Saying, My little daughter lies at the point of death: I pray you, come and lay your hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
24. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
25. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
26. And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
27. When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
28. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
29. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
30. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
31. And his disciples said to him, You see the multitude thronging you, and say you, Who touched me?
32. And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
33. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
34. And he said to her, Daughter, your faith has made you whole; go in peace, and be whole of your plague.

THEOPHYL. After the miracle of the demoniac, the Lord works another miracle, namely, in raising up the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue; the Evangelist, before narrating this miracle, says, And when Jesus was passed over again by ship to the other side, much people gathered to him.

AUG. But we must understand, that what is added of the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue, took place when Jesus had again crossed the sea in a ship, though how long after does not appear; for if there were not an interval, there could be no time for the taking place of that which Matthew relates, concerning the feast at his own house; after which event, nothing follows immediately, except this concerning the daughter of the chief of the synagogue. For he has so put it together, that the transition itself shows that the narrative follows the order of time. It goes on, There comes one of the rulers of the synagogue, &c.

PSEUD-CHRYS. He has recorded the name on account of the Jews of that time, that it might mark the miracle. It goes on, And when he saw him, he fell at his feet, and besought him greatly, &c. Matthew indeed relates that the chief of the synagogue reported that his daughter was dead, but Mark says that she was very sick, and that afterwards it was told to the ruler of the synagogue, when our Lord was about to go with him, that she was dead. The fact then, which Matthew implies, is the same, namely, that He raised her from the dead; and it is for the sake of brevity, that he says that she was dead, which was evident from her being raised.

AUG. For he attaches himself not to the words of the father, but to what is of most importance, his wishes; for he was in such despair, that his wish was that she should return to life, not thinking that she could be found alive, whom he had left dying.

THEOPHYL. Now this man was faithful in part, inasmuch as he fell at the feet of Jesus, but in that he begged of Him to come, he did not show as much faith as lie ought. For he ought to have said, Speak the word only, and my daughter shall be healed. There follows, And he went away with him, and much people followed him, and thronged him; and a woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, &c.

CHRYS. This woman, who was celebrated and known to all, did not dare to approach the Savior openly, nor to come to Him, because, according to the law, she was unclean; for this reason she touched Him behind, and not in front, for that she dare not do, but only ventured to touch the hem of His garment. It was not however the hem of the garment, but her frame of mind that made her whole.

There follows, For she said, If I may but touch his clothes, I shall be whole.

THEOPHYL. Most faithful indeed is this woman, who hoped for healing from His garments. For which reason she obtains health; wherefore it goes on, And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed.

PSEUD-CHRYS. Now the virtues of Christ are by His own will imparted to those men, who touch Him by faith. Wherefore there follows, And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, who touched my clothes? The virtues indeed of the Savior do not go out of Him locally or corporally, nor in any respect pass away from Him. For being incorporeal, they go forth to others and are given to others; they are not however separated from Him, from whom they are said to go forth, in the same way as sciences are given by the teacher to his pupils. Therefore it says, Jesus, knowing in himself the virtue which had gone out of him, to show that with His knowledge, and not without His being aware of it, the woman was healed.

But He asked, Who touched me? although He knew her who touched Him, that He might bring to light the woman, by her coming forward, and proclaim her faith, and lest the virtue of His miraculous work should he consigned to oblivion. It goes on, And his disciples said to him, You see the multitude thronging you, and say you, Who touched me? But the Lord asked, Who touched me, that is in thought and faith, for the crowds who throng Me cannot be said to touch Me, for they do not come near to Me in thought and in faith.

There follows, And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.

THEOPHYL. For the Lord wished to declare the woman, first to give His approbation to her faith, secondly to urge the chief of the synagogue to a confident hope that He could thus cure his child, and also to free the woman from fear. For the woman feared because she had stolen health; wherefore there follows, But the woman fearing and trembling, &c.

BEDE; Observe that the object of His question was that the woman should confess the truth of her long want of faith, of her sudden belief and healing, and so herself be confirmed in faith, and afford an example to others. But he said to her, Daughter, your faith has made you whole; go in peace, and be whole of your plague. He said not, Your faith is about to make you whole, but has made you whole, that is, in that you have believed, you have already been made whole.

CHRYS. He calls her daughter because she was saved by her faith; for faith in Christ makes us His children.

THEOPHYL. But He said to her, Go in peace, that is, in rest, which means, go and have rest, for up to this time you have been in pains and torture

PSEUD-CHRYS. Or else He says, Go in peace, sending her away into that which is the final good, for God dwells in peace, that you may know, that she was not only healed in body but also from the causes of bodily pain, that is, from her sins

PSEUDO-JEROME. Mystically, however, Jairus comes after the healing of the woman, because when the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, then shall Israel be saved. Jairus means either illuminating, or illuminated, that is, the Jewish people having cast off the shadow of the letter, enlightened by the Spirit and enlightening others, falling at the feet of the Word that is humbling itself before the Incarnation of Christ, prays for her daughter, for when a man lives himself, he makes others live also. Thus Abraham, and Moses, and Samuel, intercede for the people who are dead, and Jesus comes upon their prayers.

BEDE; Again, the Lord going to the child, who is to be healed, is thronged by the crowd, because though He gave healthful advice to the Jewish nation, he is oppressed by the wicked habits of that carnal people; but the woman with an issue of blood, cured by the Lord, is the Church gathered together from the nations, for the issue of blood may be either understood of the pollution of idolatry, or of those deeds, which are accompanied by pleasure to flesh and blood. But whilst the word of the Lord decreed salvation to Judea, the people of the Gentiles by an assured hope seized upon the health, promised and prepared for others.

THEOPHYL. Or else, by the woman, who had a bloody flux, understand human nature; for sin rushed in upon it, which since it killed the soul, might be said to spill its blood. It could not be cured by many physicians, that is, by the wise men of this world, and of the Law and the Prophets; but the moment that it touched the hem of Christ's garment, that is, His flesh, it was healed, for whoever believes the Son of man to be Incarnate is he who touches the hem of His garment.

BEDE; Wherefore one believing woman touches the Lord, whilst the crowd throngs Him, because He, who is grieved by divers heresies, or by wicked habits, is worshipped faithfully with the heart of the Catholic Church alone. But the Church of the Gentiles came behind Him; because though it did not see the Lord present in time flesh, for the mysteries of His Incarnation had been gone through, yet it attained to the grace of His faith, and so when by partaking of His sacraments, it merited salvation from its sins, as it were the fountain of its blood was dried up by the touch of His garments. And the Lord looked round about to see her who had done this, because He judges that all who deserve to be saved are worthy of His look and of His pity.

35. While he yet spoke, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Your daughter is dead: why trouble you the Master any further?
36. As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he said to the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
37. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
38. And he comes to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and sees the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
39. And when he was come in, he said to them, Why make you this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleeps.
40. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he takes the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and enter in where the damsel was lying.
41. And he took the damsel by the by and, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say to you, arise.
42. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
43. And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

THEOPHYL. Those who were about the ruler of the synagogue, thought that Christ was one of the prophets, and for this reason they thought that they should beg of Him to come and pray over the damsel. But because she had already expired, they thought that He ought not to be asked to do so. Therefore it is said, While he yet spoke, there came messengers to the ruler of the synagogue, which said, Your daughter is dead; why trouble you the Master any further?

But the Lord Himself persuades the father to have confidence. For it goes on, As soon as Jesus heard the word which was spoken, he said to the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid; only believe.

AUG. It is not said that he assented to his friends who brought the tidings and wished to prevent the Master from coming, so that our Lord's saying, Fear not, only believe, is not a rebuke for his want of faith, but was intended to strengthen the belief which he had already. But if the Evangelist had related, that the ruler of the synagogue joined the friends who came from his house, in saying that Jesus should not be troubled, the words which Matthew relates him to have said, namely, that the damsel was dead, would then have been contrary to what was in his mind.

It goes on, And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

THEOPHYL. For Christ in His lowliness would not do any thing for display. It goes on, And he comes to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and sees the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

PSEUD-CHRYS. But He Himself commands them not to wail, as if the damsel was not dead, but sleeping; wherefore it says, And when he was come in, he said to them, Why make you this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleeps.

PSEUDO-JEROME; It was told the ruler of the synagogue, Your daughter is dead. But Jesus said to him, She is not dead, but sleeps. Both are true, for the meaning is, She is dead to you, but to Me she is asleep.

BEDE; For to men she was dead, who were unable to raise her up; but to God she was asleep, in whose purpose both the soul was living, and the flesh was resting, to raise again. Whence it became a custom amongst Christians, that the dead, who, they doubt not, will rise again, should be said to sleep. It goes on, And they laughed him to scorn.

THEOPHYL. But they laugh at Him, as if unable to do anything farther; and in this He convicts them of bearing witness involuntarily, that she was really dead whom He raised up, and therefore, that it would be a miracle if He raised her.

BEDE; Because they chose rather to laugh at than to believe in this saying concerning her resurrection, they are deservedly excluded from the place, as unworthy to witness His power in raising her, and the mystery of her rising; wherefore it goes on, But when he had put them all out, he takes the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and enters in where the damsel was lying.

CHRYS. Or else, to take away all display, He suffered not all to he with Him; that, however He might leave behind Him witnesses of His divine power, He chose His three chief disciples and the father and mother of the damsel, as being necessary above all. And He restores life to the damsel both by His hand, and by word of mouth. Wherefore it says, And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto you, Arise.

For the hand of Jesus, having a quickening power, quickens the dead body, and His voice raises her as she is lying; wherefore it follows, And straightway the damsel arose and walked.

JEROME; Some one may accuse the Evangelist of a falsehood in his explanation, in that he has added, I say to you, when in Hebrew, Talitha cumi only means, Damsel, arise; but He adds, I say unto thee, Arise, to express that His meaning was to call and command her. It goes on, For she was of the age of twelve years.

GLOSS. The Evangelist added this, to show that she was of an age to walk. By her walking she is shown to have been not only raised up but also perfectly cured. It continues, And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

CHRYS. To show that He had raised her really, and not only to the eve of fancy

BEDE; Mystically; the woman was cured of a bloody flux, and immediately after the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue is reported to be dead, because as soon as the Church of the Gentiles is washed from the stain of vice, and called daughter by the merits of her faith, at once the synagogue is broken up on account of its zealous treachery and envy; treachery, because it did not choose to believe in Christ; envy, because it was vexed at the faith of the Church. What the messengers told the ruler of the synagogue, Why trouble you the Master anymore, is said by those in this day who, seeing the state of the synagogue, deserted by God, believe that it cannot be restored, and therefore think that we are not to pray that it should he restored. But if the ruler of the synagogue, that is, the assembly of the teachers of the Law, determine to believe, the synagogue also, which is subjected to them, will be saved.

Further, because the synagogue lost the joy of having Christ to dwell in it, as its faithlessness deserved, it lies dead as it were, amongst persons weeping and wailing. Again, our Lord raised the damsel by taking hold of her hand, because the hands of the Jews, which are full of blood, must first be cleansed, else the synagogue, which is dead, cannot rise again. But in the woman with the bloody flux, and the raising of the damsel, is shown the salvation of the human race, which was so ordered by the Lord, that first some from Judea, then the fullness of the Gentiles, might come in, and so all Israel might be saved. Again, the damsel was twelve years old, and the woman had suffered for twelve years, because the sinning of unbelievers was contemporary with the beginning of the faith of believers; wherefore it is said, Abraham believed on God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.

GREG. Morally again, our Redeemer raised the damsel in the house, the young man without the gate, Lazarus in the tomb; he still lies dead in the house, whose sin is concealed; he is carried without the gate, whose sin has broken forth into the madness of an open deed; he lies crushed under the mound of the tomb, who in the commission of sin, lies powerless beneath the weight of habit.

BEDE; And we may remark, that lighter and daily errors may he cured by the remedy of a lighter penance. Wherefore the Lord raises the damsel, lying in the inner chamber with a very easy cry, saying, Damsel, arise; but that he who had been four days dead might quit the prison of the tomb, he groaned in spirit, He was troubled, He shed tears. In proportion, then, as the death of the soul presses the more heavily, so much the more ardently must the fervor of the penitent press forward. But this too must be observed, that a public crime requires a public reparation; wherefore Lazarus, when called from the sepulcher, was placed before the eyes of the people: but slight sins require to be washed out by a secret penance, wherefore the damsel lying in the house is raised up before few witnesses, and those are desired to tell no man. The crowd also is cast out before the damsel is raised; for if a crowd of worldly thoughts be not first cast out from the hidden parts of the heart, the soul, which lies dead within, cannot rise. Well too did she arise and walk, for the soul, raised from sin, ought not only to rise from the filth of its crimes, but also to make advances in good works, and soon it is necessary that it should be filled with heavenly bread, that at is, made partaker of the Divine Word, and of the Altar.

Catena Aurea Mark 5

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Raising of Jairus' Daughter

Ilya Repin

Oil on canvas. 229 × 382 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg.

[Salvation]

Saint Blaise, Bishop and Martyr

Saint Blaise, Bishop & Martyr
Optional Memorial
February 3rd

Traditional Prayer card

History:
St. Blaise has been extremely popular for centuries in both the Eastern and Western Churches. He was a physician and the Bishop of Sebaste, Armenia. He once saved a child who was choking on a fish bone, which led to the blessing of throats on St. Blaise's feast day. He was beheaded in 316.

Collect:
Hear, O Lord, the supplications your people make
under the patronage of the Martyrs Saint Blaise,
and grant that they may rejoice in peace in this present life,
and find help for life eternal.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.

First Reading: Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.

Gospel Reading: Mark 16:15-20
And He[Jesus] said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."

So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.

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Blessing of Throats:

Excerpt from Ceremonies of the Liturgical Year by Monsignor Peter Elliott (Ignatius Press 2002)

85. On the day after the Presentation of Our Lord, the memorial of Saint Blase, it is customary in many places to bless the throats of the faithful with two candles tied together with a red ribbon to form a cross. The candles are privately blessed with the paryer provided in the Book of Blessings or the preconciliar Roman Ritual, title IX, chapter III. The rite of blessing of throats may take place before or after Mass.

86. The priest or deacon places the candles around the throat of whoevers seeks the blessing, using the formula: "Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you free from every disease of the throat, and from every other disease. In the name of the Father and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit. R. Amen."

Because the celebrant makes the sign of the cross with his right hand, it is best to apply the candles with both hands. Then the celebrant withdraws his right hand to make the sign of the cross, while continuing to hold the condles in place with his left hand. For the convenience of the celebrant the formula should be printed on a small card, attached to the candles.

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St. Blaise and the Blessing of Throats [Catholic Caucus]
On Blaise and Throat Blessings [Ecumenical]
Catholic Caucus] Feast of St. Blaise
Blessing Throats on the Feast of St. Blaise
St Blase, Bishop And Martyr

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Saint Ansgar, Bishop

Saint Ansgar, Bishop
Optional Memorial
February 3rd

Statue by Engelbert Peiffer, Hamburg, Germany

History:

Saint Ansgar was born in France, become known as the "Apostle of the North" for his great evangelical work in Denmark and Sweden. He was the first Archbishop of Hamburg and then of Bremen. Pope Gregory IV appointed him as his delegate to Denmark and Sweden. In reply to those who questioned some miracles attributed to him, he said, "Were God to choose me to do such things, I would ask Him for one miracle only: that by His power He would make me a good man."

Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003

 

Collect:
O God, who willed to send the Bishop Saint Ansgar
to enlighted many peoples,
grant us, through his intercession,
that we may always walk in the light of your truth.
through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.

First Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." Hark, your watchmen lift up their voice, together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

Gospel Reading: Mark 1:14-20
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel."

And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men." And immediately they left their nets and followed Him. And going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed Him.

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St. Ansgar, [Anskar] "Apostle of the North" (Scandinavia)

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Information: St. Blaise

Feast Day: January 24

Born: Armenia

Patron of: Animals, builders, choking, veterinarians, throats, infants, stonecutters, carvers, wool workers

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Interactive Saints for Kids

St. Blasé

Feast Day: February 03
Died:316

St. Blase was an Armenian who came from a rich family and was given a Christian education. As a young man, Blase thought about all the sufferings and troubles in the world. He found that only spiritual joys can make a person really happy.

He became a priest and then bishop of Sebaste in Armenia which is now modern Turkey. Blase worked wholeheartedly to make his people holy and happy. He prayed and preached; he tried to help everyone.

Later he lived in a cave on Mount Argeus. He had the gift of healing and both men and animals were brought to him to be healed. According to legend, sick animals would come to him on their own for help, but would never disturb him at prayer.

When the governor, Licinius, began to harass the Christians, St. Blase was captured. He was sent to prison to be beheaded. On the way, people crowded the road to see their beloved bishop for the last time. He blessed them all, even the pagans.

A poor mother rushed up to him. She begged him to save her child who was choking to death from a fishbone. The saint whispered a prayer and blessed the child. He worked a miracle that saved the child's life. That is why St. Blase is called upon by all who have throat diseases. On his feast day, we have our throats blessed. We ask him to protect us from all sicknesses of the throat.

In prison, the saintly bishop converted many non-believers. No torture could make Blaise give up his faith in Jesus. Thrown into a lake to drown, Blaise stood on the surface and invited his persecutors to walk out and prove the power of their gods; they drowned. When he returned to land, he was beheaded. Now St. Blase is with Jesus forever.

Reflection: Each of us experiences a need of healing in some area of our lives. Today, invite God to come into these places with the comfort of his presence.

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CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Tuesday, February 3

Liturgical Color: Green

Today is the optional memorial of St.
Blaisé, bishop and martyr. St. Blaisé
saved a child from choking. In
commemoration, we have our throats
blessed asking God's protection against
choking and other problems
and diseases of the throat.

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Catholic Spiritual Direction.com

The Key to Living a Holy Life

February 3, 2015 by Fr. Najim  

The Key to Living a Holy Life

The name of my blog sometimes frightens me because I fear I’ve set myself up as someone who knows how to be holy or who knows how to give advice on how to live a holy life. Neither of those are true! The truth is that I don’t believe I’m holy or that I have the best advice for living a holy life. However, I believe that my deepest desire is to be holy and that on my best days I aspire to live in union with Jesus. And because I’m a pilgrim on the journey of life like all of you, my dear readers, I like to share my thoughts on how we can together aspire to friendship with Jesus.

In my almost fourteen years as a priest, I’ve spent countless hours in the confessional and counseling people in so many different situations. Those hours are some of the most fulfilling hours of my life. I’ve learned many things during those countless hours. But there’s a simple piece of advice that I like to give over and over again. It’s a piece of advice that I give because it’s one that I try to live on a daily basis. This piece of advice, I believe, is the key to living a holy life. What is it? Two words: Begin again.

That’s it in a nutshell. I believe the key to living a holy life is the decision to begin again and again with Jesus each day. We’re weak. We’re tempted. We sin. But God’s grace and mercy is greater than our sin. And so we have two choices: we can choose to focus on our temptations and sins or we can choose to focus on Jesus and begin again each day with his love and grace. If we focus on our weaknesses, there’s little chance that we’ll make progress on the road to holiness; however, if we focus on Jesus and decide to begin again each day, he will strengthen us in perseverance and enable us to grow in virtue.

I love the gospel scene where Peter steps out of the boat to walk toward Jesus who is walking on the water. It perfectly sums up the spiritual life: Distracted by the winds and waves, Peter takes his eyes off of Jesus and begins to sink; but Peter reaches out to Jesus and begs Jesus to save him. What a great lesson! In the winds and waves of life, we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. And when we feel we can’t go on, we simply need to imitate Peter, stretch out our hand, and beg Jesus to save us.

So forget about yesterday or about the mistakes you made today, and simply choose to begin again. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Take his hand and let him lead you.

+ + + + + + +

This post originally appeared on Father Michael Najim’s blog http://liveholiness.com/ Used with permission.

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Catholic Culture

 

Daily Readings for:February 03, 2015
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: Hear, O Lord, the supplications your people make under the patronage of the Martyr Saint Blaise, and grant that they may rejoice in peace in this present life, and find help for life eternal. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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O God, who willed to send the Bishop Saint Ansgar to enlighten many peoples, grant us, through is intercession, that we may always walk in the light of your truth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

RECIPES

o    Chicken Noodle Soup

o    Chicken Soup with Rice

o    Mostaccioli

ACTIVITIES

o    Feast of St. Blaise

o    Fourteen Holy Helpers

PRAYERS

o    Book of Blessings: Blessing of Throats on the Feast of Saint Blaise

o    Prayer to St. Blaise

o    Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes

o    Roman Ritual: Blessing of Candles on the Feast of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr

o    Roman Ritual: Blessing of Throats on the Feast of St. Blaise

o    Roman Ritual: Blessing of Bread, Wine, Water, Fruit

·         Ordinary Time: February 3rd

·         Optional Memorial of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr; St. Ansgar, bishop

Old Calendar: St. Blaise

St. Blaise enjoyed widespread veneration in the Eastern and Western Churches due to many cures attributed to him. According to tradition, he was Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia and was martyred under Licinius. On this day the Church gives a "Blessing of the Throats" in honor of St. Blaise. From the eighth century he has been invoked on behalf of the sick, especially those afflicted with illnesses of the throat.

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St. Ansgar became known as the "Apostle of the North" for his great evangelical work in Denmark and Sweden. He was Bishop of Hamburg and then of Bremen. Gregory IV appointed him as his delegate to Denmark and Sweden.

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St. Blaise
St. Blaise was a physician and Bishop of Sebaste, Armenia. He lived in a cave on Mount Argeus and was a healer of men and animals. According to legend, sick animals would come to him on their own for help, but would never disturb him at prayer.

Agricola, governor of Cappadocia, came to Sebaste to persecute Christians. His huntsmen went into the forests of Argeus to find wild animals for the arena games, and found many waiting outside Blaise's cave. Discovered in prayer, Blaise was arrested, and Agricola tried to get him to recant his faith. While in prison, Blaise ministered to and healed fellow prisoners, including saving a child who was choking on a fish bone; this led to the blessing of throats on Blaise's feast day.

Thrown into a lake to drown, Blaise stood on the surface and invited his persecutors to walk out and prove the power of their gods; they drowned. When he returned to land, he was martyred by being beaten, his flesh torn with wool combs (which led to his association with and patronage of those involved in the wool trade), and then beheading.

Blaise has been extremely popular for centuries in both the Eastern and Western Churches and many cures were attributed to him, notably that of a child who was suffocating through a fish bone being caught in his throat. In 1222 the Council of Oxford prohibited servile labour in England on his feast. He is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. He is invoked for all throat afflictions, and on his feast two candles are blessed with a prayer that God will free from all such afflictions and every ill all those who receive this blessing.

— Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

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It is customary in many places to bless the throats of the faithful with two candles tied together with a red ribbon to form a cross. The rite of the blessing of throats may take place before or after Mass.

The priest or deacon places the candles around the throat of whoever seeks the blessing, using the formula: "Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you free from every disease of the throat, and from every other disease. In the name of the Father and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit. R. Amen."

— Excerpted from Ceremonies of the Liturgical Year

Patron: Against wild beasts; animals; builders; carvers; construction workers; coughs; Dalmatia; Dubrovnik; goiters; healthy throats; stonecutters; throat diseases; veterinarians; whooping cough; wool-combers; wool weavers.

Symbols: 2 candles; 2 crossed candles; candle; hermit tending wild animals; iron comb; man healing a choking boy; man with two candles; wax; wool comb.

Things to Do:

• Take your children to Mass to receive the blessing of throats today.
• Establish a home altar with the blessed candles (symbols of Saint Blaise) from the feast of the Presentation, February 2.
• Visit this website and learn more about St. Blaise and how he saved Dubrovnik in Croatia in the 12th century.

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St. Ansgar
The "apostle of the north" (Scandinavia) had enough frustrations to become a saint—and he did. He became a Benedictine at Corbie, France, where he had been educated. Three years later, when the king of Denmark became a convert, Ansgar went to that country for three years of missionary work, without noticeable success. Sweden asked for Christian missionaries, and he went there, suffering capture by pirates and other hardships on the way. Less than two years later he was recalled, to become abbot of New Corbie (Corvey) and bishop of Hamburg. The pope made him legate for the Scandinavian missions. Funds for the northern apostolate stopped with Emperor Louis's death. After thirteen years' work in Hamburg, Ansgar saw it burned to the ground by invading Northmen; Sweden and Denmark returned to paganism.

He directed new apostolic activities in the North, traveling to Denmark and being instrumental in the conversion of another king. By the strange device of casting lots, the king of Sweden allowed the Christian missionaries to return.

Ansgar's biographers remark that he was an extraordinary preacher, a humble and ascetical priest. He was devoted to the poor and the sick, imitating the Lord in washing their feet and waiting on them at table. He died peacefully at Bremen, Germany, without achieving his wish to be a martyr.

Sweden became pagan again after his death, and remained so until the coming of missionaries two centuries later.

— Excerpted from Saint of the Day, Leonard Foley, O.F.M.

Patron: Denmark; Scandinavia; Sweden.

Symbols: Wearing a fur pelise; holding the Catheral of Hamburg.

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The Word Among Us

Meditation: Mark 5:21-43

Saint Blaise, Bishop and Martyr

Little girl, I say to you, arise! (Mark 5:41)

Some versions of the Bible put the words of Jesus in red print as a way of drawing our attention to what the Lord said as he walked the earth. This isn’t a bad idea, even if it’s still a translation of the actual words Jesus spoke. Today’s Gospel passage, however, goes further. Talitha koum isn’t a translation; they are the exact Aramaic words that Jesus would have spoken.

Imagine yourself in this scene. Perhaps you are the anxious parent or a scornful mourner or one of the disciples. Linger with these bystanders as long as you like. But then lie down in that bed of nothingness as that lifeless girl. Suddenly two words break into your darkness: talitha koum! 

At this moment there is no one else in the room. Jesus is speaking these words to you alone. He has made it possible for you to hear his voice. Then you notice that he is holding your hand. Power flows from him, enabling you to do the impossible: to get up from your deathbed. But don’t hurry off just yet. Jesus is smiling at you. Just as he singled out one bleeding woman in a crowd of people a few moments earlier and fastened his eyes on her, he is looking intently at you. With a firm love that can heal any disease and calm any storm, he is telling you to get up: arise!

God often tells his servants to arise. He told Elijah, “Arise, go to Zarephath… . I have commanded a widow there to feed you” (1 Kings 17:9). He told a dead man, the only son of a widow, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” (Luke 7:14). A blind man outside Jericho heard, “Take courage; get up, he is calling you” (Mark 10:49). An angel told the deacon Philip, “Get up and head south” (Acts 8:26).

Arise! Get up! I have a plan for you! We may not know exactly what will happen next, but we can be sure that God has everything in hand.

Today during your prayer, stand up straight and tall. Ask God what he wants you to do next. Don’t worry if it sounds impossible. Just keep your eyes “fixed on Jesus” (Hebrews12:2). If he can raise the dead, he can surely take care of you!

“Jesus, I stand ready to do whatever you call me to.”

Hebrews 12:1-4
Psalm 22:26-28, 30-32

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Marriage=One Man and One Woman 'Til Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for February 3, 2015:

“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child…when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways.” (1 Cor 13:11) Reminisce about your respective childhoods. Name one childhood trait that serves you well and one childish trait that stresses your marriage.

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Regnum Christi

Touched by Faith

U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

February 3, 2015. Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Mark 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again (in the boat) to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, "My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live." He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him. There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak.  She said, "If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured." Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who has touched my clothes?" But his disciples said to him, "You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ´Who touched me?´" And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction."  While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official´s house arrived and said, "Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?" Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid; just have faith." He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly.  So he went in and said to them, "Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep." And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child´s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was.  He took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. (At that) they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

Introductory Prayer: Lord, who should I turn to first but you? You have given me another day. This gift calls me to come to you first, to hear you first. My faith tells me there can be nothing better than to follow your plan; my hope is to bring you into my life and to other people; my love wants to be fuller and better — it wants to be like yours, Lord.

Petition: Grant me the grace of deeper trust and faith in all moments of hardship.

1. “…afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years”:  When problems are prolonged, or reach fever-pitch levels, we can get the mistaken impression that God has lost interest.  Somehow he seems no longer moved by our misery.  All the signs say he has forgotten us, abandoned us and left us hanging.

But God is only seemingly absent. He is creating a new set of circumstances wherein we can experience him at a wholly new level.  The long, hard and persevering fight to walk in hope enables God to bring about greater fruits of holiness in us.

In the woman with the hemorrhage and in Jairus, father of a dying daughter, we must contemplate a mature and vibrant faith, observing how it conquers pessimism and transcends the cold calculations and superficial tones of their peers.  Truly this is the first miracle we see that Jesus has worked for them, and the most important one.

2. “And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out”: The dismal voices of his “friends” come to the father. Though they have seen the miracle of the woman with the hemorrhage, they coldly say, “Your daughter is dead. Be realistic. It is no use to go on.” True, in the name of realism, we can dismiss hope and cooperation with Christ’s action in our life. We can ridicule Christ whenever he wants to work in mystery and outside our human limits. We can be tempted to abandon trust in God in the name of reaffirming control over our world. “Let’s be realistic,” we say. “It will never work.”  These phrases veil a weak faith, a poor faith, a sterile or compartmentalized faith that works only when everything makes sense to us, when everything is easy.  Where there is this lack of faith, Christ cannot work.  

3. “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured”: Many say they are near Christ, yet few are acknowledged by Christ as close to him. Many were brushing against him that day, many were verbally praising him, many were serving him, but only one touched him and got his full attention. Why? Only one made an act of unconditional faith. What is the secret? How can we really get his attention, truly speak to his heart? None are closer than those who trust him, who humbly depend on him, and who wish to live from him. The woman’s unconditional faith was open to whatever would happen, whatever would be Christ’s response.  Those who suffer and support themselves patiently with faith and prayer experience new levels of union with Christ.

Conversation with Christ: Lord let me use hardships to build newer levels of trust and intimacy with you. Open my heart to seek you on your terms.  

I do not ask you for happiness or sorrow,

Health or sickness,

Riches or poverty,

Freedom or slavery,

Goods or evils;

For goods are misfortunes if you do not come with them,

And misfortunes are goods if they arrive with you.

For goods without you, what good would they be?

And misfortunes with you, are they not the best goods?

Resolution: I will acknowledge the presence of Christ in all the difficulties of today.

[Salvation]

Homily of the Day

February 3, 2015

There was quite a sizeable crowd that came to see Jesus that day. Many were sick and gathered around him to be healed. And here was one desperate woman who sought healing, even by just touching the edge of Jesus’ garment.

When you think about it, it would take a great deal of faith for that to happen. In our world today, we see many people of faith suffering from physical illness, constantly praying for healing. Their faith may even be greater than those who sought out Jesus that day. Yet, why are these people not healed?

When we pray to Jesus for healing and we do get healed, we may call it a miracle. Oftentimes though, the healing that we receive from Jesus is not physical, but rather a spiritual one. Spiritual healing does not remove our physical afflictions; but it allows us to accept the pain and suffering as only temporary, and part of God’s greater plan.

Through the grace of Jesus, we learn to accept our situation, and offer it up to God.
Are you also suffering right now? Can you remain faithful, even through hardship and trial? Offer up your suffering to God.

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One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Español

All Issues > Volume 31, Issue 2

<< Tuesday, February 3, 2015 >>

St. Blase St. Ansgar

Hebrews 12:1-4
View Readings

Psalm 22:26-28, 30-32

Mark 5:21-43
Similar Reflections

THE TOUCH

" 'If I just touch His clothing,' she thought, 'I shall get well.' " —Mark 5:28

A woman who was hemorrhaging touched Jesus. According to Jewish law, this made Jesus unclean (cf Lv 15:25, 27). Instead, His touch made the woman healed and whole (Mk 5:29ff). Touching Jesus is unlike touching anyone else in the world.

Jesus reached out to touch and take the hand of a dead, twelve-year-old girl (Mk 5:41). According to Jewish law, this made Jesus unclean (see Nm 19:11). Instead, Jesus' touch raised the girl from the dead (Mk 5:42). No one else's touch can raise the dead.

Do you want to touch Jesus and be touched by Him? You can be touched by Jesus through the members of His body, the Church. You can touch Jesus in the Sacraments, especially in the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ. Get in touch with Jesus by loving His Church (Eph 5:25) and receiving Him in Holy Communion. In touch with Him, you are in touch with life, love, hope, peace, freedom, joy, purity, and victory. In touch with Jesus, you are in touch with healing and resurrection. You are in touch with God.

Prayer: Jesus, touch me, and "O, what joy shall fill my soul."

Promise: "Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, Who inspires and perfects our faith." —Heb 12:2

Praise: St. Blase, who is invoked for healing of throats, allowed his own throat to be severed as he was beheaded for his faith in Jesus.

[Salvation]

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