Today's gospel passage describes the scene where the side of Jesus is pierced by the soldier's lance, releasing a mixture of blood and water. Church Fathers see in this passage, and especially in the blood and water signs of the Eucharist and baptism, the life sources of the Church.

Scripture scholars see the blood of Jesus as symbolising Jesus' death and water as new life communicated by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the death of Jesus is a source of new life for believers. All those who look with the eyes of faith and respond to the love of the Lord will receive the gift of new life through him.

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul shares that as believers of Christ, they are to be rooted and grounded in the love of Christ so that they may fully understand the full dimensions of Christ's love. To be able to love the way Christ loves is to know a love that surpasses knowledge.

One of the greatest devotions in the Church most closely linked to the love of Christ is the "Sacred Heart of Jesus". The Sacred Heart is a powerful symbol of Christ's love for his people. Jesus' heart may have stopped beating upon his death on the cross, but it did not remain "closed". When the lance pierced the side of Jesus, penetrating the heart, his love flowed out in the form of blood and water for our salvation. The Sacred Heart unites us closely with the love of Jesus. We, too, are called to love like Jesus, who gave his life for all.