The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the greatest signs of God’s infinite love for the whole world. His loving beating heart yearns with deep longing for every human soul. On the altar of the Cross the heart of the great High Priest was pierced and out of his open heart flowed blood and water, the source of the Sacraments given to us. Water for Baptism and Blood for the Most Holy Eucharist.
As we know from the Epistle to the Hebrews Our Lord ascended into the Heavenly Sanctuary carrying his most precious blood where he makes continuous intercession for us. At the Last Supper he ordained his Apostles and their successors so his ministry could be carried on earth. Above all so his people could enter into the great Paschal Mystery of his Passion Death and Resurrection and be fed with the food of eternal life of his most Holy Body and Blood.
Twenty-Five years ago today Father Gregory and I had the great joy of being ordained to the Sacred Priesthood. In the Eastern Rites they do not talk about celebrating the Divine Liturgy but of serving the Liturgy. I am sure both Fr. Gregory and I look back over the last twenty five years with great thankfulness but also with a great feeling of unworthiness and humility that the Lord has called us to serve the people of God by celebrating Holy Mass and celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Personally I would also like to say a big thank you to God for all I have gained from the deep holiness and wisdom of the people I have been lucky enough to minister to, perhaps above all my brothers here at Quarr. In my particular ministry I would also like to thank the many Oblates and Guests who have taught me so much.
I asked to celebrate a votive Mass of the Sacred Heart partly because the Congregation of Solesmes is consecrated to this wonderful mystery of love but also Abbot Aelred allowed me to specially consecrate myself at Solemn Profession to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The Lord ascended with his most precious blood but how does this great gift reach us in our sinfulness. One of the great Church Fathers Dionysius has a wonderful teaching. The uncreated light of God passes through the Choirs of Angels and then descends through the bishops and priests to all the people of God who then spread the Divine Light to the World.
At the Consecration at the Mass Heaven comes to earth. Through the action of Christ, through his priest, Christ is present on the altar in his full Divinity and Humanity, surrounded by all the Holy Angels, Our Blessed Lady and all the Saints together with the whole people of God.
The Church is Eucharistic. Because the Lord created it that way. The most sublime communion we can have with the Lord on this earth is in the Holy Mass and the Eucharist can only be celebrated, or served, by Bishops assisted by priests. All the Baptised share in the priesthood of Christ but he has called some of us to Ordained Priesthood, the ministerial priesthood for the call is to feed the Holy People with the Holy Sacraments. The oldest title of the Pope is the ‘Servant of the Servants of God’ and that is the description that should apply to all who minister at the altar.
Asking your forgiveness for the many ways I may have failed in this call, nevertheless I thank God with deep gratitude for calling Father Gregory and I to this holy service.
We thank you deeply for your love and prayers and ask humbly for you to pray for both of us as we go forward in the service of the One True King.