The Lance
Such a brutal, horrible death is crucifixion. So much torture and pain. The person on the cross will experience total pain and agony continuously. There would be no relief.
As I think of Mary and John at the foot of the cross their internal anguish would also be unbearable. There is nothing they could do to comfort the one on the cross. There is no sympathy. No loving touch. Even the others who remained would be aching in agony.
In all this pain and misery, the hardened soldier steps forth and with one precise jab the lance enters the side of Jesus and blood and water gush forth. I have often wondered why the lance was needed. As a soldier he would have known death. He would have caused death for many people.
Why use the lance? Can you inflict pain on someone who is already dead? No, then why do it. The Catechism tells us it was to fulfill scripture, they have pierced him.
Over the course of time, we now know that the piercing done by the lance would bring us to an understanding of Divine Mercy. O blood and water which gushed forth from the heart of Jesus have mercy on us. I trust in you. Today would be a good day to begin the Divine Mercy Novena. I leave it to you to find a version that touches your heart.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen