The Blood of Jesus Christ

I greet you in the blood of Jesus Christ, which is eternal and abiding joy.---St. Ignatius of Antioch ( 107 A.D.)

 

Ignatius wrote many letters to the faithful on his way to be eaten by lions in Rome. He pleaded with them not to interfere in his dying for Jesus. He said he wanted to be "ground like wheat in the teeth of the lions." There was much persecution during the 2nd century. Most were martyred because they would rather die than deny the Eucharist. The Body and Blood of Jesus Christ to the early Christians was always connected to His sacrifice in the Mass. They never once had issue with the bread becoming His Body and the wine becoming His Blood. In fact, this teaching and belief is why the pagan Romans thought them "cannibals" and "idol worshippers." We must remember the Blood poured out for our sins and the mystery of this Blood's power to forgive and cleanse us is God's doing, not ours. Jesus is the One Who said, "This is My Body, this is My Blood." We must die for this Blood, maybe not like the Catholic priest in Iraq did a few weeks ago for celebrating the Mass, maybe not by being eaten by lions, but in our every day lives of working, struggling, forgiving, hoping, helping, and giving them away for the gospel. Our joy is in the Blood of the Lamb!

 

wkm

 

St. Ignatius of Antioch