From: John 19:31-37
Jesus’ Side Is Pierced
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Commentary:
31-33. Jesus dies on the Preparation day of the Passover—the Parasceve—that
is, the eve, when the paschal lambs were officially sacrificed in the Temple. By
stressing this, the evangelist implies that Christ’s sacrifice took the place of the
sacrifices of the Old Law and inaugurated the New Alliance in his blood (cf. Heb
9:12).
The Law of Moses required that the bodies should be taken down before nightfall
(Deut 21:22-23); this is why Pilate is asked to have their legs broken, to bring on
death and allow them to be buried before it gets dark, particularly since the next
day is the feast of the Passover.
On the date of Jesus’ death see “The Dates of the Life of our Lord Jesus Christ”
in the “The Navarre Bible: St. Mark”, pp. 48ff.
34. The outflow of blood and water has a natural explanation. Probably the water
was an accumulation of liquid in the lungs due to Jesus’ intense sufferings.
As on other occasions, the historical events narrated in the fourth Gospel are la-
den with meaning. St. Augustine and Christian tradition see the sacraments and
the Church itself flowing from Jesus’ open side: “Here was opened wide the door
of life, from which the sacraments of the Church have flowed out, without which
there is no entering in unto life which is true life. [...] Here the second Adam with
bowed head slept upon the cross, that thence a wife might be formed of him,
flowing from his side while he slept. O death, by which the dead come back to
life! is there anything purer than this blood, any wound more healing!” (St. Augus-
tine, “In Ioann. Evang., 120, 2).
The Second Vatican Council, for its part, teaches: “The Church—that is, the king-
dom of Christ—already present in mystery, grows visibly through the power of God
in the world. The origin and growth of the Church are symbolized by the blood and
water which flowed from the open side of the crucified Jesus” (Vatican II, “Lumen
Gentium”, 3).
“Jesus on the cross, with his heart overflowing with love for men, is such an elo-
quent commentary on the value of people and things that words only get in the
way. People, their happiness and their life, are so important that the very Son of
God gave himself to redeem and cleanse and raise them up” (St. J. Escrivá,
“Christ Is Passing By”, 165).
35. St John’s Gospel presents itself as a truthful witness of the events of our
Lord’s life and of their spiritual and doctrinal significance. From the words of John
the Baptist at the outset of Jesus’ public ministry (1:19) to the final paragraph of
the Gospel (21:24-25), everything forms part of a testimony to the sublime phe-
nomenon of the Word of Life made Man. Here the evangelist explicitly states that
he was an eyewitness (cf. also Jn 20:30-31; 1 Jn 1:1-3).
36. This question refers to the precept of the Law that no bone of the paschal
lamb should be broken (cf. Ex 12:46): again St John’s Gospel is telling us that
Jesus is the true paschal Lamb who takes away the sins of the world (cf. Jn
1:29).
37. The account of the Passion concludes with quotation from Zechariah (12:10)
foretelling the salvation resulting from the mysterious suffering and death of a
redeemer. The evangelist thereby evokes the salvation wrought by Jesus Christ
who, nailed to the Cross, has fulfilled God’s promise of redemption (cf. Jn 12:32).
Everyone who looks upon him with faith receives the effects of his Passion. Thus
the good thief, looking at Christ on the cross, recognized his kingship, placed
his truth in him and received the promise of heaven (cf. Lk 23:42-43).
In the liturgy of Good Friday the Church invites us to contemplate and adore the
cross: “Behold the wood of the Cross, on which was nailed the salvation of the
world”, and from the earliest times of the Church the Crucifix has been the sign
reminding Christians of the supreme point of Christ’s love, when he died on the
Cross and freed us from eternal death.
“Your Crucifix. — As a Christian, you should always carry your Crucifix with you.
And place it on your desk. And kiss it before going to bed and when you wake
up: and when your poor body rebels against your soul, kiss it again” (St. J. Es-
criva, “The Way”, 302).
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Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.
Liturgical Colour: White.
First reading |
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Hosea 11:1,3-4,8-9 © |
I will not give rein to my fierce anger, for I am God, not man |
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Responsorial Psalm | Isaiah 12 © |
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The rejoicing of a redeemed people |
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Second reading |
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Ephesians 3:8-12,14-19 © |
The love of Christ is beyond all knowledge |
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Gospel Acclamation | 1Jn4:10 |
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Or: | Mt11:29 |
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Gospel | John 19:31-37 © |
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Out of his pierced side there came out blood and water |
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