John 19:31-37 NRSVue

³¹Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the Sabbath, especially because that Sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. ³²Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. ³³But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. ³⁴Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. ³⁵(He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth, so that you also may continue to believe.) ³⁶These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, “None of his bones shall be broken.” ³⁷And again another passage of scripture says, “They will look on the one whom they have pierced.”

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Reflection on John 19:31-37

Inspiration from 2024-06-07 Daily Prayer

The death of Jesus seemed like the end but it was the beginning of something radically new. The solemn setting of the sabbath served as a preparation for what Jesus was offering the world. May our hearts be in tune with His, so that we are a sign of hope for others.

The heart is a symbol of love, of self-giving, of being there for others in a compassionate way. We recall Jesus’ total self-giving for us as his children, his beloved. We give thanks for what Christ has done for us, and for his Sacred Heart, broken and pierced for us, always loving us, no matter what.

Further reflection

Езуса засмучае, што людзі ўспрымаюць забарону забойства занадта літаральна або абмежавана. Ён хоча, каб запаведзь «Не забівай» уключала ў сябе кожны від псіхалагічнага або вербальнага здзеку над іншым чалавекам. Жыццё павінна засноўвацца на адносінах, поўных супакою і гармоніі. Адсюль узнікае неабходнасць паяднання, калі сувязі разарваныя. Ці мне трэба памірыцца з кім-небудзь сёння? Я хачу пакінуць свой «дар» (якім бы ён ні быў) перад ахвярнікам і шукаць спачатку паяднання з маім пакрыўджаным братам або сястрой?