Deepertruth: The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time 2/3/2023,  Saint Blaise "saint of the wild beast."

St Thomas Aquinas describes the effect of receiving Holy Communion. He says, [the Blessed Sacrament] should enflame us with desire for Our Lord, and “inflame our hearts [with charity] and make us godlike… The fervor of charity is its actual effect.” (IIIa q. 79 a. 8) These are its effects, unless we put up obstacles.

Saint Blaise, you accepted the will of God as it was expressed through the acclamation of the people to become their shepherd. You lovingly spread the faith, healed the sick, and laid down your life as a martyr. Please pray for me and my family that we may be kept safe from all illness, especially illnesses of the throat, and pray that I will have the same courage you had to be a witness to Christ, even to the point of death. Saint Blaise, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

So our level of devotion, our reverence for and appreciation of, the Most Blessed Sacrament will help or hinder the effects we get from our Holy Communions.

If we were more reverent towards and grateful for the Most Blessed Sacrament, our Holy Communions would be more fruitful.

The two candles are held up and crossed over the throats and the blessing is given: "May Almighty God at the intercession of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, preserve you from infections of the throat and from all other afflictions".

Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.