This Is My Blood...Shed For Many

Earlier today I checked in on Facebook at church with a comment about "Mass and a blood donation" to a few comments about how it seemed the church wanted more than just a financial donation.

One of the verses used during Communion is from Mark 14:24 "This is my blood from the new covenant, which is shed for many."

The comment made was not inappropriate and certainly not malicious, but it brings three thoughts to mind for me.

First, be careful how you post your check ins to Facebook.  If I had more carefully written my check in I think it would have avoided the possible confusion.

Second, are we simply to attend church in hopes of "doing our time", dropping our donation in the basket, and heading home?  I hope not.

As Christians, we are called not to be Christian on Sunday, but on every day.  As Pope Francis noted on Twitter, "The Lord is knocking at the door of our hearts. Have we put a sign on the door saying: 'Do not disturb'?"  Our jobs as Christians do not end at 5:00PM Monday thru Friday and as we learn from the Scriptures, Christ calls on us to take our faith into our every day lives.

If we are teachers, we are to be Christ to our students; if we are merchants, we should sell that which is Holy; if we are fisherman, we should fish for men.

Third, blood donations are needed.  Pretty much every day.  The average blood donation is used by three patients as the blood is converted into its components of plasma, platelets, and red blood cells.  Most adults have between ten to twelve pints of blood surging through their arteries and veins every day.

Blood carries oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from the cells.  It also removes other metabolic waste.  Finally, blood does two amazing things in terms of fighting infection and clotting wounds.  For this reason alone, blood is much more useful than typical IV fluids.  Indeed, current medical research suggests we have overused isotonic IV fluids - which carry neither oxygen nor clotting agents - and this overuse has only filled vasculature.  It has not kept organs alive with oxygen and in general, the rapid infusion has blown clots apart and cooled the patient.  Bad and bad.  Blood on the other hand carries oxygen and has clotting factors to help the body recover from the injury necessitating its use.

For myself, I am up to twelve gallons of donated blood just with Carter Blood Care.  I say this as a source of personal accomplishment, not because my arms are more special than yours, but because in addition to my regular job I may have been able to help dozens and dozens of patients.

People like Saint Therese of Liseux tell us we should try to be Christ-like where they can.  Perhaps, donating blood makes me more Christ-like.  Like my Savior, I have shed blood for many too.   I ask you to donate blood too and shed blood for those who need it.