“My Blood Shed for You”
The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Exodus 24:3–8 / Psalm 116:13 / Hebrews 9:11–15 / Mark 14:12–16, 22–26
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Reflecting on the Word
By Rev. James A. Wallace, C.Ss.R.
I can remember becoming “blood brothers” with my best friend, Bunky, when we were six years old. We took something sharp and each of us cut the tip of one finger and put them together, declaring ourselves “blood brothers forever.” It remains a sacred memory for me.
The recognition of blood as sacred, as a symbol of life, is probably as old as humanity. All life belonged to God. When Cain slew Abel, God said to him, “Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the soil” (Genesis 4:10). It was the blood of animals that Moses sprinkled on the altar and the twelve pillars, symbols of God and the people, and then on the people themselves as they entered into cov
enant with the God who was leading them to a new life.
Today’s second reading presents Christ entering the heavenly sanctuary not with the blood of animals but with his own blood that brought about our redemption, providing cleansing from sin and access to God. Later, this author notes how much more eloquently the blood of Christ speaks than that of Abel; where the latter cried for vengeance, Christ’s blood cries for mercy.
Mark puts us in the upper room with Jesus the night before he died, and we hear once again the sacred words: “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many”.
He continues to give the cup to his disciples, so we might have his life in us. Jesus is the Lord of Life.
Consider/Discuss
- How do you experience “giving your blood,” whether at the doctor’s for a blood test or when contributing to a blood drive?
- What do Jesus’ words at Mass mean to you:
“Take this, all of you, and drink from it,
for this is the chalice of my Blood,
the Blood of the new and eternal covenant
Which will be poured out for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.”
Responding to the Word
Lord Jesus, at baptism we were washed in the blood of the Lamb; at every Communion, we eat your Body and drink your Blood. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we continue to live with your life, sharing in your divinity as you have shared in our humanity. For this we give you praise and thanks.