The Most Precious Blood of Jesus

As we now approach the month devoted to honoring Christ’s Blood … Unlimited is the effectiveness of [His] Blood. Just as unlimited as the love that impelled Him to pour it out for us, first at His circumcision eight days after birth, and more profusely later on in his agony in the garden, in his scourging and crowning with thorns, in His climb to Calvary and crucifixion, and finally from out that great wide wound in his side which symbolizes the divine Blood cascading down all the Church’s sacraments. Such sur passing love suggests, nay demands, that everyone reborn in the torrents of that Blood adore it with grateful love.

 

Saint Pope John XXIII – from his message to Cardinals, Bishops and Priests: Given in St. Peter’s in Rome on June 30, 1960, during his second year of his pontificate: On Promoting Devotion to The Most Precious Blood

In the Catholic Tradition, July honors the Most Precious Blood of Jesus. This is a topic we Catholics rarely speak about in the present day. This Spiritual Insight Audio (First Gospel and Homily 0 – 19:45) discusses the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, the saving blood.

July is the time when we should ask ourselves, are we conscious of the love that pours out of Our Lord’s heart for us? Do we truly appreciate the Blood that poured out for us? Do we appreciate the cry for mercy on our behalf? When we focus on these ideas, our attention sharpens to the Eucharistic presence on the altar. Its easy to only focus on what our eyes see. We see and concentrate on the presence of Our Lord through the bread and body of the Eucharist. What we do not always see is The Most Precious Blood that was poured out for us, continues to be poured out for us. The Church asks all Catholics: Do you understand the Treasure of The Most Precious Blood?

Listen to the first Homily and Gospel, as the stage is set to discuss the significance of The Most Precious Blood of Jesus.

Second Homily: 19:45 – 51:00
Cleansing by the Blood of the Lamb are strange words to most today. Blood stain is understood. But Blood Cleansing is not part of most Catholics’ vocabulary.

There is no such thing as a bloodless salvation. When the Church speaks about the Blood of the Lamb, it is speaking about the price of our (yours and mine) redemption. The price of salvation is not cheap. Not cheaply won, not cheaply bought, nor cheaply given! We have all been redeemed at a great price. The price of the Blood of Jesus! When we use this language to describe the redemption, it is at the service of understanding how valuable this redemption is…how valuable the Blood of Our Savior. How great this gift of Salvation! … How Valuable!

The apostles’ wrote: Do not take your salvation lightly, because it came at such a price! Just a single drop of blood, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, was enough for our salvation. Why then, did Our Lord allow all His Blood to flow out?

Listen to both halves of the Gospels and Homilies on The Most Precious Blood of Jesus, and sharpen your own appreciation for this special gift. Both homilies are contained in the single audio file below.

The Most Precious Blood of Jesus