Month of the Precious Blood (Day 27)
July 27, 2025
Day 27
A reading from the Book of Revelation
Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne. When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sing a new song:
‘You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God
saints from every tribe and language and people and nation;
you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God,
and they will reign on earth.’ (Revelation 5:6-10)
RESPONSORY
They sang a new canticle, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals.”
-- For you were slain, and have redeemed us for God with your blood.
And you made them for our God a kingdom and priests, and they shall reign over the earth.
-- For you were slain, and have redeemed us for God with your blood.
From “Meditations on the Life and Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ” by John Tauler (+1361)
The Son of God was wounded in His Body, that the souls of men and women might recover salvation. From all His limbs there flowed forth Blood, that He might pour the same, as a health-giving balm, into our wounds. The grape-cluster was hung on the staff, that He might make us certain and sure of the land of promise. The cluster was pressed in the wine-press, that He might make us drunken with His love. The bowl was broken in pieces, that the oil of mercy might begin to flow out. He dyed the tunic of His Body in purple, that as our Bridegroom of singular beauty, He might provoke us to love Him. Grievously did He suffer in His Body, and sorely was He afflicted, that He might make us glad in spirit. He was forsaken of His Father, that we might be taken back into His Father’s grace. His body was damp with His warm Blood, that He might prepare for us a bath, wherein we might be thoroughly washed and cleansed from every stain of sin. His warm Blood boiled over from His sacred Body, that He might cause our cold and hardened hearts to melt in His love. Like water He was poured out, that our spirit might swim in the delights of His grace. Nothing in His whole Body remained whole, that nothing hurtful, nothing foul, nothing that was not whole, might remain in our souls. And although on all sides He was so stricken by more than human suffering, that by reason of the excellence and tenderness of His nature and complexion, every blow pierced His Heart; nevertheless, His will was so subject both to God and human beings, and His burning desire to accomplish to the full all that His Father required of Him, and to redeem humanity, was so great in Him beyond all measure; in a word, He was so taken prisoner by love, that He could utter no complaint. For He could do nothing but love, and suffer for love. O my soul! and as many as love God, who have been redeemed by the precious Blood of Christ Jesus, and washed from your sins, come and see, with inward grief, all that God suffered for our sins, all that He underwent for our iniquities. And if this does not bring compunction to your hearts, nor move them, then account yourselves harder than steel or stone. See how the King of glory was here wounded and disfigured for your crimes. What more do you require of Him? If this is not enough, He is ready to suffer even more. Do you think that there remained in His Body anything unhurt or sound? Behold! He will gladly accept even death for your sins, and will suffer His Blood to be shed to the very last little drop. Yea! He will let His Heart be pierced for your sakes, that He may throw it open to you, and make known His exceeding love. Oh! who can ever find us forgetful of His measureless love? Marvelous indeed it is, that our hearts are not melted at this most burning love! However can we cease from praising Him and giving Him thanks, or who can busy himself with any other care, than to return in some poor little way love for love? Why is it hard for us to taste some little drop of myrrh for His sake, Who suffered Himself to be swallowed up whole in a very sea of suffering for our sakes? Or how can it be ever a grievous thing for us to bear in mind His Passion, which it was not grievous for Him to undergo? O sweet Jesus, what tenderness hath overcome your Heart, what love has swallowed it up, that you have willed to suffer so bitter and ignominious a Passion for us wretched sinners? Why did you not spare yourself altogether, when it would have been enough indeed, so excellent and of such exceeding worth was your Passion, to have shed one little drop of your precious Blood? Why did you cast cast yourself so utterly away, and expose yourself, and suffer yourself in so humble a way to be well nigh brought down to nothing? O loving Jesus, You have wished this to show forth your out-flowing and utterly measureless love for us, with which, from the beginning, you have loved us. This is why you gave yourself wholly for us, that in our turn we might give ourselves wholly to you, and love you back again with our whole strength and all our power.
Musical Selection (with lyrics)
Collect
Father, who through the blood of Jesus your Son,
the Lamb sacrificed on the cross, redeemed us, sanctified us, and made us your people;
grant that all may accept this gift of your love,
celebrate it joyfully in the Spirit,
and drink of it in the Eucharistic chalice, the sign of your covenant and blessing.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. (Feast of the Precious Blood; Contemporary)