Deacon Matthew Keller, C.PP.S., will be ordained to the priesthood on June 9. In preparation for his ordination, he asks that we join him in praying the Novena of the Precious Blood written by the late Fr. Ernest Ranly, C.PP.S.
Day four: Jesus Sheds Blood in the Scourging
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening Prayer
O God, our heavenly Father, out of love for the human family, you willed your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer through the shedding of his blood.
Blessing and thanksgiving be evermore to Jesus.
Who with his blood has saved us.
We give you thanks for the gift of our Lord’s blood, which he shed until the last drop for our salvation. May the blood of Jesus, shed for us, purify us and protect us from all evil.
In the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we drink the blood of the new and eternal covenant. May it give us peace and may it unite us with all the human family, especially with the poor and the marginalized.
May the Precious Blood of Jesus become for us the blood of life, of unity and of peace. May this mystery of love and grace fill our hearts with the Holy Spirit. United with the Blood of Christ, may we participate with Christ in the work of redeeming our world of today.
Praise to the blood of Jesus.
Now and forever. Amen.
Presentation
“Then he released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified.” (Matthew 27: 26)
Reflection
After the prayer in the Garden of Olives, Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, and he was taken away to one tribunal after another. Pilate did not find fault to judge, torture, and condemn Jesus. Nevertheless, for political reasons, and to maintain his image before the Jews and before Roman authorities, he gave Jesus over to be scourged. The legal custom of the time assigned at least forty strokes of a whip. Because of this torture, Jesus shed much blood.
Today many innocent people are judged, tortured, and condemned because of the injustice and corruption of the authorities. The blood of Jesus shed in the scourging cries to heaven for justice, compassion, and respect for human rights.
Meditation
“Praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has bestowed on us in Christ every spiritual blessing in the heavens! It is in Christ and through his blood that we have been redeemed and our sins forgiven. So immeasurably generous is God’s favor to us.” (Ephesians 1:3,7,8)
Resolutions
- To see Jesus suffering in the scourging in those victims of unjust torture.
- To recognize that the prisoners of war, hostages, the condemned are our brothers and sisters in Christ.
- To define an ethics of justice for all civil authorities.
Final prayer
Eternal Father, we offer you the Precious Blood of Jesus shed in the scourging. Accept it in recompense for the loss of so much innocent blood in the world. We ask for justice and a world ethic in defense of the rights of all of humanity. We understand that your loving Son suffered in obedience, and that each stroke that he received from the whip was an act of sacrifice and of love for the redemption of the world. Father of mercy, may your mercy never abandon us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Our Father…..
Glory to the Father…..
V: Praise and thanksgiving be evermore to Jesus.
R: Who with his blood has saved us.
V: Glory to the Blood of Jesus!
R: Now and forever. Amen.