Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever

Sisters and brothers in Christ, there is a meme circulating on Catholic social media sites that truly captures today's first reading, in which Saint Paul wrote: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." The message of the meme is: "Look back and thank God. Look forward and Trust God. Look around and serve God. Look within and find God." I learned from an early age that the one constant in life is change and, although we change over time, through it all, God remains steadfast in His love and mercy each and everyone of us. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is our hope and our salvation, yesterday, today, and forever.

As we celebrate the memorial of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, we can come to the realization that Saint John the Baptist (who was beheaded by Herod in a plot by his brother's wife and his wife, Herodias) and Saint Blaise (and all martyrs of Christ for that matter) lived their lives in service of God with this confidence in their hearts: "The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?" Indeed, may we all have the courage to "imitate their faith", even in the face of persecution and - for many of us - in our daily challenges and difficulties.

This is certainly a high calling but, by the grace of God, we will live for Christ courageously - yesterday, today, and forever. And it starts with brotherly love and hospitality towards each other, especially in times of distress. As we prepare ourselves for Lent at the end of the month, let us reflect and put into action how we can love God and love our neighbors through the corporal works of mercy.

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Gospel of the Day

King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread,

and people were saying,

"John the Baptist has been raised from the dead;

That is why mighty powers are at work in him."

Others were saying, "He is Elijah";

still others, "He is a prophet like any of the prophets."

But when Herod learned of it, he said,

"It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up."

Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison

on account of Herodias,

the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.

John had said to Herod,

"It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."

Herodias harbored a grudge against him

and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.

Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,

and kept him in custody.

When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,

yet he liked to listen to him.

Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday,

gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers,

and the leading men of Galilee.

His own daughter came in and performed a dance

that delighted Herod and his guests.

The king said to the girl,

"Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you."

He even swore many things to her,

"I will grant you whatever you ask of me,

even to half of my kingdom."

She went out and said to her mother,

"What shall I ask for?"

Her mother replied, "The head of John the Baptist."

The girl hurried back to the king's presence and made her request,

"I want you to give me at once on a platter

the head of John the Baptist."

The king was deeply distressed,

but because of his oaths and the guests

he did not wish to break his word to her.

So he promptly dispatched an executioner

with orders to bring back his head.

He went off and beheaded him in the prison.

He brought in the head on a platter

and gave it to the girl.

The girl in turn gave it to her mother.

When his disciples heard about it,

they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.