We have made a covenant of blood with God. Because life is in the blood (Lv 17:11), we have made a covenant of life with God. Our covenant with God is literally a matter of life and death. Because we have broken the covenant by our sins, we forfeit our lives and are doomed to destruction.
Almost two thousand years ago, shortly before His death on the cross, Jesus celebrated the Passover and the first Mass, at which He said: "This is My blood, the blood of the covenant, to be poured out in behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins" (Mt 26:28). Then Jesus shed His blood by dying on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus substituted His blood and His life for ours. He took on the consequences of our breaking of the covenant and freed us from destruction.
Traditionally, the month of July has been marked as a special time for praising the blood of Jesus, although it's fitting to praise His blood every day. So let us joyfully praise the blood of Jesus by receiving His Body and Blood in Holy Communion, by applying His blood through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, by reading about His blood in the Scriptures, and by mentioning His blood in our prayer and other conversations. Praise the blood of Jesus!
| PRAYER: | Father, send the Holy Spirit to teach me the wonder-working power of the blood of the Lamb (see Rv 7:14). |
| PROMISE: | "Offer to God praise as your sacrifice and fulfill your vows to the Most High." –Ps 50:14 |
| PRAISE: | "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus very much" (Jn 11:5). |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College