by Rev. Herbert Nichols

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Blase, a bishop and martyr who lived centuries ago. It is believed that perhaps he had been a physician and in his priestly ministry combined his talents for healing.

Legend tells us that one day a boy who was choking on a fishbone was miraculously cured by the bishop. Perhaps as a physician he was familiar with what we now call the Heimlich maneuver. In any case, the boys life was saved giving thanks to God through bishop Blase (now St. Blase)

In the church's liturgy we often use symbols from nature which attribute power from Jesus Christ. (water, candles, ashes, palms, medals, fire, etc.)

Symbols are popular today. Think about highway graphics which have replaced words, in order to speak the international language. Sometimes the use of symbols can be misunderstood as magic rituals or instant cure-alls. The Church has never encouraged this abuse which is superstitious and forbidden by the first commandment

Rather, we attempt to use symbols in church, home, or on our person as a powerful sign of the nature and beauty of God's creation and His love that is ministered through it.

Today we combine the use of two symbols blessing and candles We use the candles which were blessed at yesterday's Liturgy-- a symbol of Jesus the Light who came into the world at Christmas when light is at its shortest. The Feast of the Presentation, also called Candlemas (Candle/mass), dates back to at least Medieval times. Not only is it linked to Christmas and the Christ child but the blessing of candles for the entire liturgical year including the Paschal candle links it to the Easter fire and restored light by the risen savior.

The gesture of blessing likewise is always linked to the life-giving waters of Baptism at which we received for the first time the blessing: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Blessing offers no guarantees that you won't get sick. It is a prayer of trust and intercession which demands 1. Use of common sense, 2. Faith in God, and 3. Accepting the will of God.

In the gospel, Jesus demonstrates his power--another Epiphany if you're comfortable with that word. He not only heals physically but forgives sins. Jesus has the power to heal the sickness of sin. Today he goes even further by expelling the cause/consequence of sin--the demonic.

There are many today who dismiss these episodes of Jesus' confrontations with demons as being merely cases of mental and emotional aberration. I'm sure if that were the case, any reputable mental care provider would acknowledge that instantaneous healing of such a serious illness would be a miracle in itself.

There are no doubt documented cases where people have used mental powers in some way to defy the limits of physical strength and perhaps in claiming the name, Legion, the character was speckling of multiple personality disorder.

Hut what signifies the true deference in this case is the request by the possessors and by the permission by Jesus to enter into the swine. I would doubt very much the veracity of any psychological care giver who would wager his bacon on being similarly effective. The farmers who lost a lot of bacon responded with the same resentment and negativity as had the friends and family of Jesus when he returned to Nazareth following his Baptism.

This man, who had been possessed, or whatever, is now clearly sane and rational; and Jesus instructs him: "Go and tell". Witness to what God has done for you.

This is a turning point in Mark's gospel. Previously when Jesus healed, he said: "Tell no one!" - No one except the priests. But now the truth has been revealed and rejected. The road to the cross is set. In four weeks we begin the annual season of Lent, once again marked with ashes, which have only one significance, to lead us to the fire of Easter and renewal.