You see, the crowds were gathering to hear him, to see him, to feel the touch of his hands, to receive cures, and to have their unclean spirits expelled.
And he gave, gave, gave of his time, time, time — and there seemed to be no limits to the power of his Love and Life-giving spirit.
He was like a priest, like a High Priest; and instead of offering the sacrifice of lambs and goats and bulls and pigeons, and sprinkling their blood and their ashes in high ceremonial fashion, he instead offered himself.
Yes! He offered himself so much that his family thought he had lost it, and it did not look good, indeed.
He must “be out of his mind.”
But it would take the “Altar of the Cross” to really see that he had, indeed, become the High Priest and the Offering.
Blood was, indeed, shed willingly and lovingly — and it was truly redemptive.
That Cross was the Holy of Holies and the Tabernacle and the Altar of Sacrifice and the Throne of thrones. And this High Priest tore the curtain down and opened this Place of Grace to all.
No, but the “Blood of Christ,” that once offered would cleanse and heal and give life and life eternal, and establish this Lord as King of Life always and forever.
“Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son!
Alleluia! Alleluia!”
Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.
