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Wednesday, May 29, 1996

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1 Peter 1:18-25
Psalm 147
Mark 10:32-45

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the blood

"Realize that you were delivered from the futile way of life your fathers handed on to you, not by any diminishable sum of silver or gold, but by Christ's blood." —1 Peter 1:18-19

Christ's blood is "beyond all price" (1 Pt 1:19). It is "the blood of a spotless, unblemished Lamb chosen before the world's foundation" (1 Pt 1:19-20). Christ's blood is the blood of God, and by it we have been "delivered from the futile way of life" our fathers handed on to us (1 Pt 1:18).

Through Christ's blood, "God made Him the Means of expiation for all who believe" (Rm 3:25). We have been justified (Rm 5:9), redeemed (Eph 1:7), and reconciled by His blood (Col 1:20). Christ's blood cleanses "our consciences from dead works to worship the living God!" (Heb 9:14) It cleanses us from all sin (1 Jn 1:7) and assures our entrance into God's sanctuary (Heb 10:19). We will stand before God's throne in heaven because we have washed our robes and our lives in the blood of the Lamb (Rv 7:14).

Christ's blood is "the blood of the covenant, to be poured out in behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins" (Mt 26:28). When we drink His blood in Holy Communion, He lives in us and we in Him (Jn 6:56). By drinking His blood, we have life and will be raised by Jesus on the last day (Jn 6:53-54).

Praise the blood of Jesus! Praise the blood of Jesus!

Prayer:  Father, may I see "the wonder-working power of the blood of the Lamb."

Promise:  "Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest; whoever wants to rank first among you must serve the needs of all. The Son of Man has not come to be served but to serve— to give His life in ransom for the many." —Mk 10:43-45

Praise:  Marty, a non-Catholic, discerned that Jesus was calling him to be a Catholic priest. He joined the Church that he once criticized and is studying for the priesthood.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, October 10, 1995


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 13, 1995