The effusion of Christ’s Blood expresses the very Mystery of His Passion, carried out precisely by the shedding of His blood.
A. That Blood is Holy
It is innocent blood (Mt 27:4), as Judas confessed.
It is a precious blood (1 Pet 1:19) as Peter says, with which we have been rescued.
B. That Blood Saves Us
We have redemption by his blood (Eph 1:7).
We have been purchased by his blood (Rom 5:9).
He (Christ) is the sacrifice of propitiation through faith by his blood (Rom 3:25); with his blood he purchased for God those from every tribe (Rev 5:9).
C. That Blood Reconciles Us
God reconciled all things . . . making peace by the blood of his cross (Col 1:20).
The blood of Christ purifies our consciences (Heb 9:14).
The blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin (1 Jn 1:7).
He has freed us from our sins by his blood (Rev 1:5).
D. That Blood Gives Us Hope
Through the blood of Jesus we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary (Heb 10:19).
E. That Blood Gives Us Victory
They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb (Rev 12:11). This is why Rev 19:13 teaches that the Incarnate Word wore a cloak that had been dipped in blood.
The entirety of this mystery, this greatest mystery of the Passion, of the Precious Blood, of the most Precious Blood, is made present and is perpetuated on every altar: This cup is the new covenant in MY BLOOD, which will be shed for you (Lk 22:20).
It is that innocent blood that was shed bloodily in Gethsemane, by the scourging, the crowning with thorns, the Crucifixion, and His pierced side, from which blood and water flowed out (Jn 19:34).
That very blood, and none other, is transubstantiated in the chalice, perpetuating the one redeeming sacrifice.
Saint Catherine of Siena called priests “ministers of the blood.”
We are not ministers of empty words that the winds carry away.
We are not ministers of hallow gestures that have no efficacy whatsoever.
We are not ministers of some temporary, passing Messiah who promises everything and gives nothing.
We are not broken reeds, tossed about by the wind, nor smoking wicks incapable of giving light.
We are not ditches without water, nor suns without color or light, nor caretakers of museum pieces that are valuable but ancient.
We are not like the false prophets about whom Jeremiah spoke, prophets who are pure emptiness.[1]
We are those who feel the world’s pulse, because we are ministers of the Blood!
[1] Cfr. Jer 23:16: Visions of their own fancy they speak.
