As it is written in the Letter to the Ephesians, "Brothers and sisters: In Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ.” (Eph. 2:13) In the Catholic Church we dedicate the month of July to the Precious Blood of Jesus. It is a way of reminding us of the saving power of the sacrifice of Jesus. There are special prayers and devotions which help us to focus on the power of the Precious Blood.
I have always imagined that if I arrive at the Pearly Gates and God or one of His angels asks me why I should be let in I will simply say, “The Blood of Christ”. It won’t be the words, nor actually even the sentiment and belief that will save me. It will be the reality of the Blood of Christ. It is real. It is actual. It is powerful.
Back in the day, many of us would use a particular phrase. We would say, “I plead the Blood of Jesus.” When facing difficulties, especially temptation, “I plead the Blood”. When praying for the salvation of souls, “I plead the Blood.” When asking the Lord to protect our loved ones, “I plead the Blood”. When entrusting the soul of a departed loved one to Jesus, “I plead the Blood.”
It is a way of expressing, in a short aspiration, a complete trust in Jesus who loved us enough to shed that Precious Blood.
The amazing thing to me as a priest is that at each Mass I am so blessed to be able to consecrate the bread and wine that become the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ! Our extraordinary ministers of communion, who distribute the Precious Blood at Mass say to each person receiving communion from the cup, “The Blood of Christ”. We trust in Jesus, totally. Each aspect of His self giving—His birth, His teaching, His prayer, His calling, His sacrifices, His suffering, His Last Supper, His continuing Eucharistic Presence, His ultimate sacrifice on the Cross, His Sacred Face, His Sacred Heart, His Precious Blood--is a moment of salvation. A moment for eternity.
In His Precious Blood,
Father Mike