[Salvation]

I bet you have seen this dramatic painting as displayed on Vultus Christi

July 1, 2008

Feast of the Most Precious Blood

The first time I saw Bernini's little known depiction of the Blood of Christ, I was completely smitten by it. The Eternal Father contemplates the outpouring of the Blood of the Son. The Angels are awestruck by what they see. Blood pours out of the hands, and feet, and open side of the Crucified.

The Mother of Jesus, she who is the perfect image of the Church, raises her hands to receive the crimson torrent gushing from the inner sanctuary of His Sacred Heart. Beneath the Cross there is an ocean of Blood: Blood to cleanse the world of every stain of sin, of every crime, of every defilement. If you would know the value of the Precious Blood, ask the Mother of the Lamb.

Priests and the Precious Blood

"My maternal heart yearns to lead all my priest sons into the presence of my Jesus, the Lamb by Whose Blood the world is saved and purified of sin. My priest sons must be the first to experience the healing power of the Blood of the Lamb of God. I ask all my priest sons to bear witness to the Precious Blood of Jesus. They are the ministers of His Blood. His Blood is in their hands to purify and refresh the living and the dead."

Apply It to Your Wounds

"I desire that all priests should become aware of the infinite value and power of but a single drop of the Blood of my Son. . . . Adore His Precious Blood in the Sacrament of His Love. His Blood mixed with water flows ceaselessly from His Eucharistic Heart, His Heart pierced by the soldier’s lance to purify and vivify the whole Church, but in the first place, to purify and vivify His priests. When you come into His Eucharistic presence, be aware of His Precious Blood streaming from His Open Heart. Adore His Blood and apply it to your wounds and to the wounds of souls."

Purity Wherever It Flows

"The Blood of my Son brings purity and healing and new life wherever it flows. Implore the power of the Precious Blood over yourself and over all priests. Whenever you are asked to intercede for souls, invoke the power of the Precious Blood over them, and present them to the Father covered with the Blood of the Lamb."

[Salvation]

Regnum Christi

Saved by Faith
July 1, 2008

U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?

Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Father Steven Liscinsky, LC

Matthew 8: 23-27
As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" He said to them, "Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?" Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. The men were amazed and said, "What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?"

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that you are present within me. Let me feel your presence in my heart and soul. I want to live this day close to you and see everything through the prism of faith. I want to put my trust and confidence in you. You will grant me all the graces I need today. All I have to do is ask. I want to love you with all my heart, especially in charity, giving myself to all I meet today so that I can communicate your love to them. Mary, accompany me in this meditation and intercede for me, so that God will grant me what I need to be a better follower of Christ and an apostle of his Kingdom.

Petition: Lord, increase my faith.

1. Surrounded by a Tempest
How often we feel ourselves surrounded by a tempest! As we look at the world around us, we see violence, injustice, poverty, and sinfulness of all sorts. We are overwhelmed by the power and strength of evil and feel impotent. How can all this change? Will I be enveloped by this sinfulness? Even my own nature has been marred by original sin and has left me with evil inclinations. In the face of all this, it is easy to lose hope and cry out to the Lord in despair.

2. We Cry Out to the Lord
In the midst of this storm we must turn to Christ. He is in our boat, dwelling in our souls through sanctifying grace. With his help, we have nothing to fear. We need to ask him to reassure us. But as we cry out to him, let us not lose faith. He wants us to have confidence in the triumph of good over evil. On the cross, it seemed that evil and death had conquered and won the day. It seemed that his enemies had finally vanquished him, as they mocked him and told him to come down from the cross. Yet it was the moment of his triumph. When evil seems to be winning, let us look at the crucifix and be sure of the victory.

3. Who Is This Man Who Saves Us?
Many present themselves as saviors of the world. They promise us happiness and the solutions to all our problems. In the end they turn out to be swindlers seeking money or fame at the expense of the credulous. Christ is the only authentic savior who is interested in us. He is the true shepherd who genuinely loves us and cares about us. And he is the only one with real power to help us. Let us turn to him in prayer to solve our problems. Let us visit him in the Eucharist, where he is always waiting for us to come with our needs.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, you are my only Savior. You are the only one I can count on to rescue me in the midst of the tempest that besets me on all sides. You alone can solve my problems; all I have to do is turn to you. You are ready to listen to me and understand me as no one else can. Today I want to be close to you. I am counting on you.