February 3 2020 - St. Blaise - Deliverance from Demons and the Powers of Death

Yesterday, at Sunday Mass, we heard in the letter to the Hebrews that Jesus came and shared our flesh that “he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the Devil.” St. Luke gives a similar explanation for Jesus’ ministry, saying in the book of Acts that Jesus' ministry was to go "about doing good works and healing all who were in the grip of the devil". In fact, the Lord got quite the reputation in his ministry as an itinerant exorcist, one who traveled through the land, liberating the possessed.  And today, we hear the powerful story of the Lord casting out Legion, the unclean spirit or spirits possessing the Garasene demoniac. 

There are demons which seem to have free reign in our nation and in our neighborhoods—demons with names like “Addiction”, “Pornography”, “Greed”, “Blasphemy”, and “Despair”. But the Lord’s ministry of deliverance, casting out the demons from this world, is meant to continue, through us. Whenever we visit a new place, or a home which seems to house evil, we do well to pray, “Lord, deliver us from evil, deliver this place from evil, deliver these souls from evil.”

The unclean spirits will continue to be at work for the ruin of souls until the Lord returns, but we are certainly called to engage in the work of deliverance as well, offering up our sufferings for deliverance, praying for deliverance, setting good Christian example that those enslaved to sin might see that deliverance is possible.

Today we honor St. Blaise, a bishop and martyr from the 4th century. He had gained a reputation for his holiness among his people and for deliverance. He famously he healed a boy who had fish bones stuck in his throat and near death. He cast out this instrument of death, like the Lord casting out a demon. And so for centuries, Blaise has been invoked as the patron saint of those with throat ailments.

Up and down the centuries we see the saints standing up to the powers of death, opposed to the powers of evil and corruption. We invoke them, and seek to imitate them. That we like them, may become instruments of God’s power and goodness in the world, instruments of Christ who came to liberate all those captive to sin, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the Bishops, the successors of the Apostles, may use their authority wisely and courageously in standing against the evils of this world.

For all those under the sway of evil, error, and corruption, for their deliverance by the power of Christ.

For the protection of young people from the corrupting influences of the world, for Christians families, and for the conversion of the faithless.

For the sick, suffering, and sorrowful, for miracles for hopeless causes.

For the souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered.

O God, our refuge and our strength, hear the prayers of your Church, for you yourself are the source of all devotion, and grant, we pray, that what we ask in faith we may truly obtain. Through Christ our Lord.