Please read the Scripture passage before the homily.
How strong is the blood of Christ; what power does it have? Let’s look at his example, recall an earlier example and hear from earlier writings of Scripture.
Moses said, “Kill the lamb and smear its blood on the doors.” Is Moses saying that the blood of sheep can give freedom to human beings? Indeed, he is saying this, but not because it is blood; it is because it is a sign of what the blood of the Lord can do. Now, then, should the Enemy see not the blood of the example on the doorposts, but rather see the blood of Existence Itself, sparkling from the mouths of the faithful and dedicating the doorpost of Christ’s temple, (the Enemy) will very quickly run away.
Here is another way of sizing up the power of the blood. Look at where it first ran and its source. It came forth from the cross itself; the pierced side of Christ is its beginning. After Jesus died and while he was still hanging on the cross, a soldier came up and pierced his side with a spear, and blood and water flowed out. Water symbolizes baptism, blood symbolizes the Eucharist. The soldier opened Jesus’ side and opened the temple’s holy door, and we have found a precious treasure and can rejoice in finding such dazzling riches. All this comes from the Lamb of God. Moses’ people sacrificed the lamb and we have had the fruit of their sacrifice.
From his side flowed blood and water: Not so easily should we leave behind the depths of such a great mystery. We must ponder more deeply their mystery and depths. The water and the blood are symbols for baptism and the sacraments. From the water and the blood the Church is established; through the regenerating power of the washing water and through the renewing power of the Holy Spirit, that is through baptism and the sacraments the flowed from his side, the Church was born. From his own side Christ built up his Church just as from Adam’s side God built up woman.
(Woman and the whole human race come from the sleeping side of Adam. From the sleeping side of Christ has sprung the Church and all her member.)