Presence of Christ

Today's Readings:
2 Sm 24:2, 9-17
Ps 32:1-2, 5-7
Mk 6:1-6

There is an old saying that "familiarity breeds contempt." Sometimes we think we know a person and therefore do not allow them to differ from the perception we have in our mind. This is what happed when Jesus returns to his home village, the people basically ask: who does he think he is? We know Jesus is the Son of God; but who is he in the person next to us, the person we take for granted, the person we ignore? Christ is present in each person, but do we allow him to present himself to us through those people in our lives? Today let us look for Christ and allow him to reveal himself to us in each person we encounter. Have a great day and God Bless.
Prayer: Lord, you make yourself know to us through the breaking of the bread, help us to also see you in all of our brothers and sisters this day. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint of the Day - St. Blase
St. Blase lived in the fourth century. Some say that he came from a rich family and received a Christian education. As a young man, Blase thought about all the sufferings and troubles of the times. He began to realize 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. With all his heart, Blase worked to make his people holy and happy. He prayed and preached; he tried to help everyone. When the governor, Licinius, began to persecute 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 pagans. No torture could make him give up his faith in Jesus. He was beheaded in the year 316. 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.

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/february/0203.asp