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Month of the Precious Blood (July 18)

July 18, 2026

Fr. John Colacino C.PP.S.

Day 18

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews.

Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who approach. Otherwise, would they not have ceased being offered, since the worshippers, cleansed once for all, would no longer have any consciousness of sin? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin year after year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,

‘Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
but a body you have prepared for me;
in burnt-offerings and sin-offerings
you have taken no pleasure.

Then I said, “See, God, I have come to do your will, O God”
(in the scroll of the book it is written of me).’

When he said above, ‘You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt-offerings and sin-offerings’ (these are offered according to the law), then he added, ‘See, I have come to do your will.’ He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:1-10)

RESPONSORY

It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said. -- but a body you have prepared for me.

‘You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt-offerings and sin-offerings’ – -- but a body you have prepared for me.

From a sermon by St. John Chrysostom (+407)

This blood makes the seal of our King bright in us; it produces an inconceivable beauty; it does not permit the nobility of the soul to become corrupt, since it refreshes and nourishes it without ceasing. This blood both refreshes the soul and instills a certain great power in it. This blood, when worthily received, drives away demons and puts them at a distance from us and even summons us angels and the Lord of Angels. Where they see the blood of the Lord, demons flee, while angels gather. This blood, poured out in abundance, has washed the whole world clean. This blood is the salvation of our souls; by it the soul is cleansed; by it, beautified; by it, inflamed. It makes our intellect brighter than fire; it renders our soul more radiant than gold. This blood has been poured forth and has opened the way to heaven. This fountain is a fountain of light, shedding abundant rays of truth. And beside it the Powers from on high have taken their stand, gazing on the beauty of its streams, since they perceive more clearly than we the power of what lies before us and its unapproachable flashing rays. This blood was formerly foreshadowed continually on altars, in sacrifices of the Law. This is the price of the world; by it Christ purchased the Church; by it He adorned her entirely. Christ has both purchased us with His blood and adorned us with His blood. Those who share in this blood have taken their stand with angels, and archangels, and the Powers from on high, clad in the royal livery of Christ.

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