April 2, 2010

Fidelium Ore Lucentem Sanguinem Veritatis

Each year, at some point between the beginning of adoration on Holy Thursday evening and the early hours of Good Friday, John Chrysostom pulls it all together for me:

If we wish to understand the power of Christ's blood, we should go back to the ancient account of its prefiguration in Egypt. Sacrifice a lamb without blemish, commanded Moses, and sprinkle its blood on your doors...In those days, when the destroying angel saw the blood on the doors he did not dare to enter, so how much less will the devil approach now when he sees, not that figurative blood on the doors, but the true blood on the lips of believers, the doors of the temple of Christ.


I love the earthiness of the Latin translation in the LH, fidelium ore lucentem sanguinem veritatis. On the mouths of the faithful we see the shining Blood of truth. Anybody know the Greek?

2 comments:

Qualis Rex said...

Father Charles, I do not. But just wanted to take a moment to wish you an effective Triduum and Blessed Easter as I will not be online.

for narnia said...

i love those words of St. John Chrysostom which you share with us. a few times a year at Nocturnal Adoration, i have the honor of reading those words (and also the part you didn't post. those words of St. John are so profound and really "pulls it together" for me, too! thanks for such a great post! PAX. ~tara t~