The Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest | Thursday 9 June 2022

Today is Thursday 9th June, the feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest.

The nuns of Mary, Queen of Apostles, sing Victoria’s setting of Duo Seraphim. ‘Two Seraphim cried one to another, and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts, the whole world is full of your glory.”’
Duo seraphim clamabant alter ad alterum:
Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Plena est omnis terra gloria ejus.
Tres sunt, qui testimonium dant in coelo:
Pater, Verbum et Spiritus Sanctus:
et hi tres unum sunt.
Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Plena est omnis terra gloria ejus.
Two seraphim cried to one another:
Holy is the Lord God of Sabaoth.
The whole earth is full of his glory.
There are three who bear witness in heaven:
the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit:
and these three are one.
Holy is the Lord God of Sabaoth.
The whole earth is full of his glory.

Today’s reading is from the book of Isaiah.
Isaiah 6:1-4, 8
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said:
‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory.’
The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’

In England and Wales today, we celebrate the feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest. It is a feast to honour Jesus Christ, who serves humankind as High Priest; a reminder that Jesus serves all, in all manner of ways. How does this image of Jesus resonate with you?
In this passage, we are given a description of supernatural power and authority. The ancient words of the angels are echoed in the Eucharistic Prayer of the Mass. What is your response to hearing them here?

As you listen to the passage again, enter into the scene, be surrounded by wonder, and hear the Lord’s request ‘Whom shall I send?’
In a time of prayer, ask the Lord for the grace that you will need to respond.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.