Today we commemorate the Lord’s Passion. It was on this day that Christ poured forth His Most Precious Blood from the cross in order that we may be redeemed. If we go back to Egypt, at the time of the Passover, we would hear commanded by Moses: “Sacrifice a lamb without blemish and sprinkle its blood on your doors.” This blood foreshadows the blood that Christ spilled upon the cross. It was for this reason that the angel of death would pass over the home of the faithful marked with this blood.
So too we have been marked by the pouring forth of this blood. Christ has claimed each of us as His own through His sacrificial offering upon the cross. We have been redeemed through His Most Precious Blood. Our sins came to be paid for through His own blood. So often images of Christ crucified have been cleaned up, but may we not forget those five wounds: His Hands, His Feet, and His side. From each of these five wounds poured forth this blood.
Very soon we will have the opportunity to silently venerate the cross. In doing so let us remember each of these wounds and the blood which poured forth from them. Let grow in our love and appreciation for all that Christ has done for us. From these wounds may we desire to turn away from sin and be moved towards His infinite mercy. We now come to anticipate the hope of His Resurrection, but in doing so may we always come to adore the cross and all that has been worked for us upon it.
In the words of Saint Catherine of Siena: “Precious Blood, ocean of divine mercy: Flow upon us! Precious Blood, most pure offering: Procure us every grace! Precious Blood, hope and refuge of sinners: Atone for us! Precious Blood, delight of holy souls: Draw us! Amen.”
