"They will look upon the one whom they have pierced". This promise comes as a consequence of a great gift: the gift of a spirit of kindness and prayer. Therefore, looking upon the one whom we have pierced must imply a great and transforming grace. How shall we look on the one who was pierced by nails and a lance on the cross? First of all, we certainly must look with faith, and see not just the man Jesus of Nazareth but Christ, our Saviour and Lord.

Then, too, we must look with hope: if God loved us in this most special way that he sent his Son amongst us, then no matter what troubles afflict us, our hope is assured that God will let us see in the pierced figure of his Son, our hope of glory.

Finally we will learn to look with love on the broken figure of Jesus, for love is the greatest virtue and the only adequate response to God's salvific love.