As I said the magnificent texts at Lauds today, full of Scriptural and Patristic truth, I was struck by these words in the Hymn: "Suique Iesus immemor/ sibi nil reservat sanguinis." [Forgetful of Himself, Jesus keeps back nothing of His Blood for Himself.]
Because it reminded me of the words in the Easter hymn Ad cenam Agni providi, referring to the "Cruore roseo" of the Lord ... as expounded by Fr John Mason 'Patrimony' Neale.
He had picked up from medical men the fact that when a human body is completely drained of blood, the very last few drops are not deep red but rosy.
Neale's own translation of Cruore roseo was Roseate Blood (English Hymnal 125). [Today's Vespers hymn echoes this with roseum decus.]
That is, the very light pink colour of wild roses ... before the rise of modern cultivars!
Best wishes on this glorious Day to priests and people at the Ordinariate Church of the Most Precious Blood in Southwark.
Glory be to Jesus, Who, in bitter pains, Poured for me the life-blood From His sacred veins.
Thank you Father for the beautiful point about the last drops of blood. I hadn't quite understood the significance of the rose liturgical color as celebratory but now it makes more sense in that light.
ReplyDeleteThanksgiving for so heroic a Savior.
ReplyDeleteIt is traditional in the Holy Land to celebrate the Most Precious Blood of Jesus with the scattering of red rose petals on the stone under the altar at the Basilica of the Agony, located next to the Garden of Gethsemane. It was in this holy place where Christ's sweat was transformed into blood.
ReplyDeleteThere is a short video of the ceremonies which took place today, July 1, 2021 at the following link. The concelebrants wore red chasubles.
https://www.cmc-terrasanta.com/en/media/terra-santa-news/20454/the-precious-blood-of-jesus
A most moving post , thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteI also thank you. Now, I've realised why Our Lord apparently died quite quickly on The Cross-He had bled out for us all.
ReplyDelete