St Peters RC Church Hamilton

“God sent into the world a unique Person – neither a philosopher nor a general, important though they are, but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.” (Queen Elizabeth II)

For Jesus comes to us with a decided purpose,

Which is to consecrate us to our Father.

Jesus, by His Spirit of holiness, an industrious Spirit,

Plans to make us a blessing to God.

This is a tall order for we are a fallen people,

Which means we stand in need of forgiveness.

Therefore after an exemplary life which Jesus led,

As Preacher, Teacher and Healer in Galilee,

Willingly He went to the †for you and me.

“Blessed be the name of Jesus.” (Philippians 2 v 9, 10)

“God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow...” (A Divine Phrase recited by the Catholic Church)

Yes, His is the name above all names,

That blessed and holy name by which we worship.

For the Lord Jesus won forgiveness for us.

As He hung on the †to justify us as family,

He took the punishment due to us,

Thereby winning holiness made possible for us through forgiveness.

After three days in the tomb lain,

Whilst He went to visit the underworld,

Then there happens the most miraculous event.

God sent His Spirit to raise Jesus back to life.

“It is by the Spirit that we worship and our glory is in Christ Jesus, not in what is done to the flesh.” (The Divine Phrases continued)

“Blessed be His most Sacred Heart,” (Philippians 3 v 3 The Truth)

That heart of love given for us on the †.

“Blessed be His most Precious Blood,” (Cont.)

Poured out so that we could see He did die,

And thereby know the resurrection as a miracle.

The living and abiding Lord Jesus still comes to us,

Notably in the most holy sacraments,

Especially in the Eucharist whereby He gifts to us

His very own Body and Blood as at the †.

The Eucharist is not merely symbolic hinting at history.

“ ‘Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him (her) up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed and My blood is drink indeed’.” (John 6 v 54, 55)

The Eucharist is a part of the Paschal Mystery,

Whereby at the Last Supper with His disciples,

Before going to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane prior to Calvary,

The Lord, our Saviour offers up bread and wine,

Saying that as these combine spiritual nourishment,

He will always be present in them.

Brought to us by the Holy Spirit, the faith Builder.

“Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.” (A further Divine Phrase)

The Holy Spirit helps us to pray, to discern,

To make wise decisions in our friendship with Jesus.

“ ‘(S)he who eats My flesh, and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him (her)’.” (John 6 v 56)

The Spirit fills us, guides us and guards us being

The Spirit of Truth, He who fills the Lord Jesus,

As the Spirit is ever “Intelligent, holy, unique,

Manifold, subtle, mobile, clean, unpolluted, distinct...”(Wisdom 7 v 22 TNJB)

This benevolent Spirit illuminates Jesus’ example

Of how to live in a truly godly way,

How to pray, how to be reverent through obedience.

He shows us how the Lord Jesus shepherds us,

Helping us to know our Saviour as the Word of God,

The One who fulfils all our Father’s promises to us.

“Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.” (Joshua 23 v 14 NIV)

The Spirit makes us sensitive to Jesus

And the command to live like He does,

Given for our own good to open up the pathway to heaven.

This gifted a disciple’s ear to pray, listen and learn,

And a disciple’s heart which seeks to share in Jesus’ holiness,

By putting our daily life into His service

So as to love, honour and please our Father.

This is our new life in the Lord Jesus,

Whereby we should be like the apostles:

“...preaching the Kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence...” (Acts 28 v 31)

“Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness we feel the power of God’s love.” (Queen Elizabeth II)

“ ‘Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one’.” (Matthew 6 v 12, 13) For Lord Jesus, all thanks, all praise, all glory ever be to the. Trinity, You are our Saviour Redeemer, who together with our Father, sends us the purifying Spirit, able to sanctify us as He works on our holiness to make us Your good works in progress.

To this end let us pray to ever increase our understanding and appreciation of all the grace and favour the Lord Jesus, by the Spirit, wins for us, and the difference to daily life this makes. We rejoice to be followers of Jesus, the One in whom our peace with God is found, sins being forgiven, a new start offered. Amen.