"Risen Lamb Writings"

"The Life Blood of this Charism"

          From the wounded side of the Lamb flows the "life blood" of this charism of communal, contemplative, intercessory prayer; for, this blood is life; this water is living water. This is the sacred flow that unites intercessors with the "chalice" of Jesus' pierced heart--a heart that bears a love that is stronger than death:  The unique, human heart of the Lamb that continually "loves the eternal Father and all human beings without exception" (Pius XII, encyclical, "Haurietis aquas" (1956: DS 3924).

          These sacred streams of blood and water reveal the "paschal personality" of the Lamb; for, they shed light on the pierced heart from which they have come: The heart that chose to love unto death in the midst of being rejected and hated by the world--the heart of the One who "has freed us from our sins by his blood" (Rev. 1:5): "When Christ's side was opened and his heart pierced, the cleansing waters of forgiveness and redemption poured forth"(Heart of the Redeemer, p. 49) for a sinful and hurting world. These streams of life unite intercessors with the Lamb on the altar of the cross to perpetuate his redemptive mission in the world:

"Christ's sacrifice present on the altar makes it possible for all generations of Christians to be united with his offering" (CCC 1368); and, "In the Eucharist the Church is as it were at the foot of the cross with Mary, united with the offering and intercession of Christ" (CCC 1370).

          The  blood of the Lamb is "participatory" blood. This precious flow unites us to the sacrificial, love offering of Jesus on Calvary. St. Paul asks the Corinthian community: "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?" (1 Cr. 10:16); indeed, we are made "participants in the altar" (1 Cr. 10:18). The Catechism adds, "The Church which is the Body of Christ participates in the offering of her Head. With him, she herself is offered whole and entire. She unites herself to his intercession with the Father for all men..."(CCC 1368). The heart of an intercessor is joined to the "altar of the pierced heart" of the Lamb for the sake of others, to intercede for and to offer for the sake of love.

Questions:

1)   Currently, am I interceding (praying) communally (with others) for people and situations? If not, am I asking God in prayer to lead me to others to pray with?

2)   What aspects of the "paschal personality" of the Lamb do I recognize in my own intercessory lifestyle?

Scriptures:

Any scripture from the text; Eph. 1:7; Heb. 9:12; 1 Pet. 2:4-5.