Fourteenth Day
When Our Lord died on the cross one of the soldiers pierced His side, to make sure that He was dead. It was a real death, for we know that blood and water poured from that wound. Here we see the water of Baptism applied to our souls; in Baptism we are born again, we become children of God, our sins are forgiven and we have a right to the reward of heaven. We are no longer outcasts, nor an accursed race; we have become children of God. And why? Because we have become the brothers of Jesus Christ, Who is a child of God, the Son of God; it was this Child that made us children too, because from His sacred side on the cross He poured out water and blood over the human race; the curse was taken away from the race of mankind, and they may now go to heaven if they will. But have we preserved this life of grace, this new life of a supernatural order? No, indeed. There is not a human creature on the earth that has been cleansed by the blood of Christ, but has fallen back, and rebelled against God.
Prayer.
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.