July is devoted to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus!
Devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus ought to bring us face to face with two realities: First, the seriousness of our sin, and second, the great love of Jesus for all of us. In the Old Covenant, the blood of animals was shed to atone for the sins of the people. But Jesus, the Lamb of God and God’s own Son, shed His blood once and for all. Our sins led the Savior to give up His life and his very life-force, His blood, for us. But this sacrifice was carried out because of His immense love for us; it was freely offered, not forced.
May this month’s devotion remind us always of how precious we are to the Lord, so precious that He would freely give His life for us. Precious Blood of Jesus, cover us and save us!
One way that you can observe this month is to pray this short prayer, attributed to St. Catherine of Siena, each day:
Precious Blood,
ocean of divine mercy:
Flow upon us!Precious Blood,
most pure offering:
Procure us every grace!Precious Blood,
hope and refuge of sinners:
Atone for us!Precious Blood,
delight of holy souls:
Draw us! Amen.
