Blessed Be His Most Precious Blood
RCDA seminarian Chris Doig writes this weeks reflection along with his own special poem, Julie Knight talks about how she discovered the joys of the bible in a year and more..
As we approach the month dedicated to the Most Precious Blood, I look back to the time when I was studying at the Gregorian University in Rome, more particularly to my first lecture of Ecclesiology(the study of the Church) when the professor asked a question right at the start: “when was the Church born?” There were many answers, ranging from the Annunciation to the Calling of the disciples; and even from Jesus entrusting the keys to Peter to the day of Pentecost. Then there was one seminarian, young and pious, usually very quiet in class, gently raised his hand to get the professor's attention, and he said confidently: “the Church was born when blood and water gushed forth from the side of Christ.”
A mystical answer, yet very traditional. Already the Fathers of the Church saw this moment as the initiation of the Sacraments. We could say, then, that the outpouring of the Most Precious Blood is, in a sense, like an eternal blood transfusion, which gives energy and charge – Life! – to the Body, the Church; after all, She is an organism.
The Precious Blood which flowed through Jesus' human veins now runs through the mystical veins of the Church, that is, her sacraments, by which we are restored to the Father and cleansed from sin. This fresh life we receive comes from the blood of the Lamb, slain on the Cross for our salvation.
In our consideration of the Most Precious Blood, we can say that it is not really a optional aspect of our life of Faith : It is the very Life in which we live and so we should not shy away from from the various forms of love and devotion; it will actually help sustain and increase our faith, especially now when it may be failing or we're feeling tempted or lacking zeal. The Most Precious Blood is our Life! A beautiful way to mark the month of July is to take the Litany of the Most Precious Blood on our lips so as to, not only renew the sacramental life within us, but also to take it as a way of preparing ourselves to receive the Lord worthily when we can get back to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
As I reflected on the Litany the other day, I felt inspired to write a poem dedicated to the Most Precious Blood that I would like to share. I hope that it can inspire, renew and increase our love for Our Lord Jesus who spared nothing, giving everything out of love for us.
A POEM TO THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD
By Chris Doig
Bless'd be His Most Precious Blood!
a free and flowing holy flood,
the sacrifice of Just-Mercy,
is for sure healing remedy.
On the door post was blood of lamb,
now fulfilled – our saving balm.
The dark angel passed them o'er,
now sin and satan are no more.
No need for ram or goat or bull,
Christ's blood for us, a chalice full,
'tis more powerful than the Old,
our salvation, now, behold!
That Precious Blood for many out-poured,
Cov'nant renewed, the Ark restored,
Everlasting and always new
falls from Heaven like Holy dew.
This is the Hour of the Son,
that our sin must be undone,
by each drop of Life Most Precious,
reviving faith – how infectious!
Look on me with eyes of faith,
Heaven opens wide the gates,
each drop of blood I shed for you,
takes your sin, and soul makes new.
My wounds are painful healing,
call you to adore in kneeling,
the pain of scourge and crown of thorn,
gives you hope to see the morn'.
Tremble, see, in adoration,
it's the time of your salvation,
go dear soul and sin no more,
The Lord saved you by blood out-poured.
Standing by the Cross we must,
remember that we are but dust,
with Mother of Sorrow let us weep.
And cast ourselves into the deep.
Praise to the Father and the Son,
who in the Spirit, Love as one
Theirs the honour and the glory,
as it was, is now, and will be.
Chris Doig | Rome
Chris is a seminarian of the Diocese of Aberdeen and has just completed the sixth year of his formation. He is currently doing licenciate studies in Patristics at the Augustinianum in Rome. He was born and brought up in Perthshire but now, after having spent most of his adult life in Aberdeen and Inverness states; ‘his heart is in the Highlands’.
The Bible in a year: Julie Knight talks about her experience of discovering reading the whole bible in a year, including Bible reading plans.
How to Study the Bible: Fr Columba of the CFR’s in CalledtoMore, a Dublin based Apostolate focused on faith formation.
Why is July dedicated to the Most Precious Blood?: An explanation in Aleteia.
The Feast of St Thomas: Catholic Culture gives us a little summary of the man famous for doubt - but to me anyway, an example of faith and mercy.
Creative Minority: Fr Stephen Wang’s homily speaks about our status as Catholics as a minority in the UK. Here, he offers us a positive perspective on this statistical fact.
Invocation
A book I have only just discovered and fast beginining to treasure is the Carmina Gadelica, a treasury of hymns and incantations recorded by Alexander Carmichael in his journeys across the Highlands and Islands between 1855 and 1899.
Here I present: The Gifts of the Three (English and Gaelic*)
TIUBHRADH NAN TRI
Spioraid tiubhair dhomh do phailteas Athair, tiubhair dhomh do ghliocas, Mhic, tiubhair dhomh na m' airceas,
Iosa fo fhasga do sgeith.
Laigheam sios a nochd, Le Trithinn mo neart, Le Athair, le Iosa,
Le Spiorad nam feart.
Spirit, give me of thine abundance,
Father, give me of thy wisdom,
Son, give me in my need,
Jesus beneath the shelter of thy shield.
I lie down tonight,
With the triune of my strength,
With the Father, with Jesus, with the Spirit of might.
* The Gaelic version came from here.
God Bless from Eric and the team!