A certain author created a picture of the world suddenly oppressed under a terrible cold wave, gradually deprived of heat, freezing to death; one by one, according to their capacity of resistance to the terrible scourge, human beings succumb and die. The moment comes when no living thing remains.
Isn't this a picture of the world before the advent of Jesus Christ; a picture of the world as it actually is when it will have nothing to do with Christ?
What will revive the world dead from cold? The warm drops of Redeeming Blood spurting forth at the thrust of the lance on Good Friday.
Was it not intentional on Our Lord's part that He did not permit His legs to be broken by clubs as was done to other condemned men, but rather had His Heart opened that we could read therein the depths of His love?
The first beneficiary of the Redemption on the Cross was Longinus, the centurion on duty the evening of Good Friday. Tradition has it that, being on guard at the tomb, he probably witnessed the Resurrection. Questioned by Pilate, he must have attested the truth. The governor, as we are told, offered him money to keep still or at least to say that the Apostles had stolen the body. Longinus refused and fled into Cappadocia, where he was beheaded for proclaiming Christ to the world; he died for Him.
Am I ready like Longinus to give my blood for my Redeemer?
St. Longinus is sometimes represented holding one hand to his eyes, while using the other to thrust the lance into the side of Our Lord. This attitude recalls the legend of the sudden healing of his eyes by drops of the Precious Flood flowing from the wound of the Savior.
May the Blood of Jesus fall upon my eyes, opening them once for all, that I may finally understand the love of my Savior and my ingratitude; the absolute necessity of never again offending Him who is my Good Master, but of giving Him love for love.
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Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
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