The Blood of the Covenant

by Charles Reed
(Editorial, Reflections, March 2003)

    • "The price of our redemption is full of unfathomable mysteries. We cannot hope to understand them all. That single divine law, that without shedding of blood there is no remission of sin, is beyond our grasp." -- Father William Faber, The Precious Blood

    ONE of the great themes of Sacred Scripture is: God makes a covenant, and seals it with blood. God made a covenant with the patriarch Abraham: "My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. And I will make thee increase exceedingly: and I will make nations of thee; and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and between thy seed after thee in their generations, by a perpetual covenant: to be a God to thee, and to thy seed after thee."

    The covenant was to be ratified by the shedding of blood: "This is my covenant that you shall observe, between me and you, and thy seed after thee: All the male kind of you shall be circumcised. You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin: that it may be for a sign of the covenant between me and you. And my covenant shall be in your flesh, for a perpetual covenant.

    "And Abraham took Ismael his son, and all that were born in his house, and he circumcised the flesh of their foreskin forthwith, the very same day, as God had commanded him. Abraham was 99 years old, when he circumcised the flesh of his foreskin. And Ismael his son was full 13 years old at the time of his circumcision. The selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ismael his son." (Genesis, Ch. 17)

    Four hundred years after Abraham, his descendants had grown into a large nation. At that time they were led out of Egypt with many signs and wonders, as related in the book of Exodus. When they were in the wilderness of Sinai, God made a covenant with them, and it was ratified by the blood of animal sacrifices.

    "So Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments. And all the people answered with one voice: we will do all the words of the Lord, which he hath spoken. And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord: and rising in the morning, he built an altar at the foot of the mount, and twelve titles according to the twelve tribes of Israel. And he sent young men of the children of Israel: and they offered holocausts, and sacrificed pacific victims of calves to the Lord. The Moses took half of the blood, and put it into bowls: and the rest he poured upon the altar. And he took the blood and sprinkled it upon the people, and he said:

    "This is the blood of the covenant,
    which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words."
    (Exodus 24, 8, Hebrews 9, 20)

    "The tabernacle also and all the vessels of the ministry, in like manner, he sprinkled with blood, and almost all things, according to the law, are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission."
    (Hebrews 9, 21-22).

    In the time of the prophet Jeremias, the people had made void the covenant by their many sins, and God promised that he would made a new testament, (covenant) with them: "For finding fault with them, he saith: Behold, the days shall come, saith the Lord: and I will perfect, unto the house of Israel and unto the house of Juda, a new testament; not according to the testament which I made to their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my testament; and I regarded them not, saith the Lord." (Jeremias 31, Hebrews 8, 8)

    Christ used the word covenant (testament) only once in his life, at the most solemn moment in the Cenacle, when he established his everlasting kingdom, and made an everlasting covenant, sealed with his own blood.

    This is the chalice of my blood, of the new and eternal testament, which shall be shed for you and for many, unto the remission of sins.

    He called it the blood of the new testament, because the former covenants were intended by God only for a certain time. And he called it the eternal testament, because his covenant was to begin in the Church he established, and was to be perfected for all eternity in the heavenly Jerusalem, where the angels and saints see him in unending joy for ever.

    The blood of a human being or an animal has of itself no power to remit sin, no power to save or sanctify. But in the times before Christ, God was pleased to look upon the blood of Abraham, shed in the circumcision, and the blood of the other just of the Old Testament, and the blood of the animal sacrifices of the Mosaic law, for (according to our human manner of understanding) their blood reminded him of the sacrifice that his own Son was one day to make upon the cross, the sacrifice of redemptive blood, that would perfect for all eternity the saints in the heavenly Jerusalem.

    We often think that if we could make a pilgrimage to a holy place, where Mary appeared, or where Christ himself lived and died, that such an action would be a privilege. It is true that if we prayed in such places, perhaps we would pray with more fervor, because of the holiness of the spot itself, and because of the miracles God has worked there.

    It is no accident that Bethlehem is only a few miles from Jerusalem. Christ began to shed his blood in Bethlehem, and only a short distance away he ended his life, shedding the blood that saves us, and that will form our joy for all eternity. It would indeed be a privilege to be able to travel to Bethlehem and pray on the very spot where he was born, and where he began to save us, when the knife of the circumciser opened his wound. It would truly be a privilege to go to Jerusalem and visit the Cenacle, where he established his new and everlasting covenant. Then we would walk along the Via Dolorosa, consecrated with his cross and with his blood. At the end we would enter into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and inside would behold the very spot where his cross stood, where he wrought the salvation of all the elect with his blood. Then we would walk a short distance inside the church and see the Holy Sepulchre itself, glorious and empty, like the tombs of the just on the last day. We would remember his glorious resurrection, and that we ourselves will come out of our tombs on the last day (if we are among the elect) with our bodies like his, glorious, agile and beautiful.

    In the heavenly Jerusalem the saints and angels contemplate in ecstatic joy the precious blood of their King, who forms their glory for the endless ages of eternity. We do not have to ascend to heaven to share in their privileges. We possess what they possess. We do not have to travel to Jerusalem, to enjoy the fruits of the Precious Blood.

    We only have to go to the foot of the altar. There, in hidden splendor, is the chalice of the new and everlasting testament, containing within it the blood that inebriates the saints and that forms their joy for all eternity, the chalice of his blood, the blood of the everlasting covenant, the blood he shed in Bethlehem and upon Calvary. To possess his blood, is almost like being in Paradise: to receive him, is like possessing a heaven upon earth.

    May it be for the glory of God

    The Vergel (Garden) of the Immaculate Virgin of Guadalupe -- Mexico City

    Feb. 27, 2003 • St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin

      A Magazine for the Latter Times

    Thanking you for sending Reflections to me; it is a great magazine. Yours sincerely,
    --Mr. P.R., Co. Longford, Ireland

    I've been enjoying you article on the Miraculous Medal. With Satanic activity running so high in today's world, this is no time to compromise with truth. To compromise with apostasy, leads to one's inability to discern good from evil, and truth from untruth. Some call it mind rot. Have a wonderful Christmas, and please continue to help the poor crucified Bride of Christ to hold fast to the true Catholic faith.
    Sincerely, Miss V.P., California, USA
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    Following His Footsteps

    by Anselmo del Álamo

    Chapter 7. Mortification, Suffering

    26. I do not understand well those who support their tribulation, lamenting and complaining always, because paternal chastisement and my correction proceed from a great love and are truly sweet and benign, in such a way that he should be considered happy from whom affliction is never absent, this his affliction does not proceed from my severity, but rather from the most tender and benign love I feel for him, and I want this to be understood about any cross and tribulation, whether sought spontaneously, or whether it comes from somewhere else, against the will of him who suffers it, for in this case one makes a virtue of necessity, Let him who bears this cross not flee from it against my disposition: let him direct his suffering to my eternal praise, with resignation and humble patience; and the more suffering is accompanied by greater love and a prompt will, so much the more is it noble and to me more agreeable. --- Our Lord to Blessed Henry Suso

    27. As the ring is a sign of betrothal, thus adversity, both bodily and spiritual, supported patiently for the love of God, is the most secure pledge of divine election, and a kind of nuptials of the soul with God. -- St. Gertrude

    28. I made an effort to smile at suffering, so that the good God, as if deceived by the expression of my face, did not even know I was suffering. -- St. Therese of Lisieux

    29. If you have not yet suffered anything for God, neither have you begun to be his servant. The Apostle says clearly that "all those who wish to live piously in Christ will suffer persecution."
    St. Augustine


    A Letter We Received

    To Whom It May Concern:

    I am requesting picture cards of the "Young Virgin" by Francisco de Zurbaran, because of a miracle that happened to me.

    On December 16, 2000, while I was meditating over my life because I was feeling so alone and I was crying, I smelled the fragrance of flowers. With my surprise, the fragrance was coming from a picture card of the "Young Virgin." I didn't know where I got the picture card, or who gave it to me. Then on the night of December 21, 2000, while reading Messages from Heaven to the Portavoz of Jesus in Mexico, Vol. 1, I found the same picture of the "Young Virgin" in the book, and again I smelled the fragrance of flowers from this picture. The fragrance from this picture lasted about one month.

    In the book, I read that Jesus requests that this picture be distributed to school-age children. I am interested in purchasing several copies of this picture, so I can give them to my grandchildren.

    Sincerely, Mrs. P.C., Maryland, USA

    The message to which this letter refers, was given by Our Lord on Sunday, April 5, 1970, Octave of Easter. Part of this message is as follows:

    "My daughter, tell My people that they must repent and stop persecuting the children of My Church. Let them change their minds and submit to My new law, the law of My gospel, which is that which I have given to My holy Church, because outside of My Church there is no salvation."

    Immediately afterwards, our Lord said to me once more. "Open the book to plate 45."

    I opened the book and there was a colored image or painting of the Blessed Virgin when she was a child. In this picture Mary is sweetly sitting on the floor, with some kind of manual work on her knees. Her little hands are joined in an attitude of prayer; her eyes, raised to the heights, and nine little angels are crowning her, that is, only their faces. All of this is observed as though it were through a curtain. On one side, she has several sewing instruments and a book; on the floor there are a basket and a pitcher, but with a flower vase containing roses and lilies. The title of the picture reads thus: The Blessed Virgin as a Child, by Francisco Zurbaran. It is from the Metropolitan Art Museum in New York.

    Jesus repeated to me some words which He told me not long ago: "My Mother always lived in a state of constant adoration."

    But now He told me: "This picture has earned for its author eternal salvation, and that of many other souls. Try to reproduce it and to spread it among others, and to teach how little girls ought to live: in imitation of my Mother, in adoration and recollection. Even while engaged in work, my Mother used to be in prayer always. There is a need for pious, modest and holy women, so that there be a chaste generation, my daughter. Tell it thus to the entire world; above all, this message is directly intended for the schools."

    Here again, I questioned my Jesus and He answered me: "Lord, what relation have Exodus and Deuteronomy, which you have made me read, with the situation of the world? What have you wanted to tell me, or to indicate, by making me read them now?"

    This was His reply: "I have used and continue using patience in bearing with human beings. And I will continue to do so; but tell all of them that they must strive to give up the life of vice and sin. Let them read the Holy Bible; above all, Exodus, until the death of my great prophet, Moses, through whom I gave them my very first commandments, which have not been derogated, but rather confirmed, by my gospel. The precepts of the Old Testament which I gave through Moses, I came down to perfect them with my law of grace and love.

    "Yet, My children continue to provoke me to anger, and this wrath shall fall upon them soon. And such will befall those who are stubborn and who do not amend their lives. And it will fall upon my race, if they do not detest their sins and their incredulity; and if they do not humble themselves and become once more my people, I will detest them forever.

    "Remember, My daughter, that I have always taught you that, on the final day of the periods of time, My justice shall be exalted and glorified as much with the just man who will be saved, as with the reprobated one who will be condemned forever into everlasting fire with the fallen angels. (Mt. 25, 41). Now, let all of you be alert, because great signs of my power and holy vengeance will take place very soon. Just as in former times, now and forever I am the Almighty; and I will punish the stubbornness of My evil children, because I will not tolerate them forever. And with this, it is enough!" The Jesus kept silent.

    Later, Jesus dictated the following: "Let everyone understand how much they are provoking my justice, so as to let my wrath fall against the obstinate, especially upon those who are undermining my holy Catholic Church, and causing such great suffering to my beloved vicar, Pope Paul VI."

    "Now, My daughter, dedicate your time to publishing all the words that I have entrusted to you from the beginning, because afterwards, I desire to give you a little time which you may devote to your own soul and to your community.

    "Do not feel sad if you are not raised from the state in which you are, in the company of your sisters. The little and upright of heart are pleasing in my sight, not the great ones according to the world and the human way of thinking.

    "At an opportune time I will bring to My work the souls who are pleasing to me and suitable for consecrating themselves with me, victims before my justice. As for all the rest, My daughter, it is worth nothing. Such things are grandeurs of the earth, not of heaven. Love me, and tell all of those who surround you in this work, to give me all of their love, to give themselves over to my cross, and that, as for the rest, I will do it all with my power and my glory.

    "To you, I will come many more times yet, but I will not give you one single message more for the world or for My Church. However, they will see the fulfillment of all that has been announced through you.

    "Adore Me! Love Me! And continue in peace!"

    Then, during these moments as at other times, I felt the caressing touch of the hand of Jesus on my forehead.

    From that moment until the present, during which time I am writing these notes, an hour has passed by. It is now 3:30 p.m. in the afternoon.

    May it be for the glory of God -- The poor Portavoz (Maria Concepcion) of Jesus . . . . . Note. Portavoz means messenger.

    Promise and Fulfillment

    Many years have passed since Our Lord spoke these words. Some of the events that he spoke of have not yet been fulfilled. Such long delays might cause us sadness, but we know that in the end everything that he has promised will be fulfilled. In the above message he said: "They will see the fulfillment of all that has been announced through you."

    Hidden Miracles

    When the events happen that will bring about the fulfillment of the prophecies, they will be so manifest that it will be impossible to hide them: they will affect all of humanity, both those who die, when swift destruction will fall upon them, and those who will survive, those who humbled themselves and believed and changed. Now God's decrees and actions are hidden: they happen in private lives, in hidden graces, in secret inspirations, and even in miracles. The lady who wrote the above letter was a witness to a hidden miracle: a fragrance came forth from the picture of Mary, a testimony that these words of Christ are as fresh now as when they were first given in 1970. God has not abandoned us, and in due time, all his promises will be fulfilled. What happiness this will be for those who believed, and who carried their cross with patience and with hope. Then they will see the fruit of their patience and their hope, and they will be so happy when they see all these promises fulfilled, those promises made for "the little and upright of heart," mentioned in the above message.

    St. Paul wrote: "Be not deceived: God is not mocked. For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. For he that sows in his flesh of the flesh shall reap corruption. But he that sows in the spirit of the spirit shall reap life everlasting." (Gal. 6).

    We are living in times when we shall see the fulfillment of these verses and decrees. Those who do not pay attention and continue obstinate, will reap the fruit of their actions: corruption and destruction. Those who pay attention and who obey and change their lives, will reap life everlasting and in some cases intense joy. Christ said that his disciples would have sorrow and tribulation in this world, but that their sorrow would be turned into joy. We may have to wait, as long as God wants us to wait, but in the end we will see the fulfillment of that verse and so many others. To obey God may sometimes cause sorrow: to carry one's cross may not be easy, but there will come a moment when the sorrow will be turned into joy.

    Mercy Shall Come for Your Delight

    "Son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear: and prepare thy soul for temptation. Humble thy heart, and endure: incline thy ear, and receive the words of understanding: and make not haste in the time of clouds.

    "Wait on God with patience: join thyself to God and endure, that thy life may be increased in the latter end. Take all that shall be brought upon thee: and in thy sorrow endure, and in thy humiliation keep patience. For gold and silver are tried in the fire, but acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.

    "Believe God, and he will recover thee and direct thy way: and trust in him. Keep his fear, and grow old therein. Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy: and go not aside from him, lest ye fall. Ye that fear the Lord, believe him: and your reward shall not be made void.

    "Ye that fear the Lord, hope in him: and mercy shall come to you for your delight.

    "Ye that fear the Lord, love him: and your hearts shall be enlightened. My children, behold the generations of men: and know ye that no one hath hoped in the Lord, and hath been confounded. For God is compassionate and merciful, and will forgive sins in the day of tribulation: and he is a protector to all that seek him in truth.

    "Woe to them that are fainthearted, and who believe not God. And therefore they shall not be protected by him.

    "Woe to them that have lost patience, and that have forsaken the right ways, and have gone aside into crooked ways. And what will they do, when the Lord shall begin to examine?

    "They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts: and in his sight will sanctify their souls." -- (Ecclesiasticus, ch. 2).

         Last Exhortation of a Saint

    WHEN Saint Philibert retired from being the abbot of the monastery of Jumieges (France, 7th century) he resigned that abbacy to Saint Aichardus, whose nomination was accepted by the community in consequence of a vision granted to one of their number. There were then at Jumieges nine hundred monks, among whom he promoted monastic perfection by his example, and this manner of exhorting proved most effectual for some of them. But others were not so easily led, until their abbot had a dream of the approaching death and judgment of 442 of them: this had a great effect in heightening their observance.

    When St. Aichardus' death approached, he was laid on ashes, and covered with sackcloth, and said to the monks:

    "My dear children, never forget the last advice and testament of your most loving father. I implore you in the name of our divine Savior always to love one another, and never to suffer the least coldness toward any brother to be for a moment in your breasts, or anything by which perfect charity may suffer any harm in your souls. You have borne the yoke of penance and are grown old in the exercise of religious duties in vain, if you do not sincerely love one another. Without this, martyrdom itself cannot make you acceptable to God. Fraternal charity is the soul of a religious house."

    Having spoken these words, he happily surrendered his soul into the hands of his Creator. (A.D. 687).
    --Butler's Lives of the Saints, Sept. 15.

    Comment by Charles Reed

    The saint's exhortation is good advice, not only for religious men and women, but for the members of any group whatsoever, a family, a clan of relatives, an organization, club or parish. Fraternal kindness is the soul of any group. To think kind thoughts and speak kind words is essential: without that, all other qualities are of little value. Bearing with each other, being patient with each other, and forgiving each other, are essential. If the members of a group begin to think unkind thoughts about each other, and if they proceed to unkind words and actions, disaster is imminent. Christ said that a group divided against itself cannot stand. Division leads ultimately to destruction. Kindness in thoughts and actions is necessary not only for perfection, but for survival.
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Writings of Charles Reed -

Essays in Reflections
Essays not in Reflections
Novel. Mount Zion Revisited.
Anthologies
Translations

Note about Mount Zion Revisited

The character named Little Bear in ch. 13, is based on three persons, in order to condense much informtion into a small space. The face of one of them bore no resemblance to the face of a bear. (He is now deceased, probably in Paradise with his mother). The other two, still living, have the face of a teddy bear. This is not an exaggeration.

Mt. Zion is a narration of a shipwreck that was not total. Just as Robinson Crusoe and Man Friday came of their shipwreck alive and kicking, so these precious little souls came out of the crucible of sorrow, shining like gold (Job 19), and at least two of them are now praising God forever, in the heavenly Zion.

And the redeemed of the Lord will come into Zion with praise.
Sorrow and mourning will flee away,
And everlasting joy shall be upon their heads.

Isaiah 35

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Similarity with other novels.

Brideshead Revisited, by E. Waugh.  The effects of grace, on a group of characters.

Robinson Crusoe, by Defoe.  What to do when a shipwreck happens, and everything disintegrates, falls apart, and you are faced with a chaotic situation.

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• Works by Charles Reed  • A Mystic For Our Times, by Charles Reed • History Will Repeat Itself, by C.R. • Back to main page -
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Laus Deo -- May it be for the glory of God

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