In John’s gospel we read in Chapter 19:31-34 that since Jesus was already dead, the soldiers did not break his legs, “but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.”There is indeed a direct connection between the water flowing out of Jesus’ side and the flowing water over the head or the immersion in water of the newly baptized.
In this beautiful Easter Season, we are reminded of our baptism and celebrate the newly baptized. This weekend in Mark 16:16, Jesus says, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved”. Jesus emphasizes here the importance of baptism in putting to death the effects of original sin. Through baptism we are regenerated into God’s adopted sons and daughters in the faith through the overpowering of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the best representation of Christ’s overwhelming love which flows through us giving us a sense of peace. The Carey Landry hymn, “Peace is Flowing Like a River” , sung this weekend at communion time, will make us more fully realize that love is also found in Jesus presence in the Eucharistic body and in the Eucharistic host.