THE RED CROSS ENCOURAGES blood donations with the motto, Give the Gift of Life. The blood is given as a gift. But what makes it such a tremendous gift is that once given, I don't know where it goes or who it helps. The person who receives the blood-gift will likely be a stranger. This might be someone very unlike my self, whose values or beliefs may be even the opposite of my own. The gift might conceivably be given to someone who could be an enemy or someone I wouldn't care to know or who I might find hard to like.
Here in this detail of Giotto's Crucifixion, there are angels flying near the dying Jesus, catching his blood in chalices as it drips out of his hands feet and side. The blood of Jesus is no ordinary blood. Maybe the angels are doing this so they can give it away to each of us, to have sins washed away! (Revelation 7:14).
An unbelieving doctor who had begun working at a Catholic hospital found his way to the chapel one evening. As he walked around and saw the Stations of the Cross on the walls, he thought, "How ridiculous - a God who dies." Not at all! This isn't strange, and perhaps a doctor should know best of all. Jesus loves the whole world, completely giving the gift of life, even eternal life, through his blood! You don't ridicule these things, you ponder them in awe!
Wonder-Silence
Our Father Who art in Heaven...
Hail Mary full of grace...
Glory be to the Father...
