Reflecting on the Sacred Heart

From PrayTell:

Cosmic Christ by Sr. Annett Hanrahan
(Source - with explanatory note)

If you desire proof of the power of Christ’s blood, remember where it came from, how it ran down from the cross, flowing from the Master’s side. The gospel records that when Christ was dead, but still hung on the cross, a soldier came and pierced his side with a lance and immediately there poured out water and blood. Now the water was a symbol of baptism and the blood, of the holy Eucharist.…

From these two sacraments the church is born: from baptism, the cleansing water that gives rebirth and renewal through the Holy Spirit, and from the holy Eucharist. Since the symbols of baptism and the Eucharist flowed from his side, it was from his side that Christ fashioned the church.

(from the Catecheses of Saint John Chrysostom)