“. . . one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and straightway there came out blood and water.”

Saint John is the only evangelist who thought to mention that a roman solder pierced Jesus’ side with a spear. But it is a telling detail because it makes clear that Jesus truly died on the cross. The spear, or javelin known as a “pilum,” which legionaries used, was a powerful, lethal weapon. Six feet long and weighing more than six pounds, its iron blade pierced the Sacred Heart, drawing the blood of atonement and the water of purification. Yet Jesus did not react. He did not cry out in pain. His silence said it all: He gave His last full measure for us.

In the course of our lives, we, too, will have our hearts pierced by sorrows. The point of the spear may be a pink slip, divorce papers, a medical chart, an  eviction notice or some other sharp blow. Whatever the case may be, it’s up to us to decide how we will respond.

Our first reaction will be to cry out, recoil in pain and shed some heart-felt tears. That’s to be expected. It’s only natural. But the key is to let the tears roll down our backs and focus on the future. Time will help with healing as long as we are not living in the past. We can’t check into Heartbreak Hotel. We have to move on with our lives.

The healing process may take some time but we can help with our recovery. We can eliminate any constant reminders of our heart ache; keep busy; exercise; and seek out fun-filled leisure activities. We can bring our troubles to the foot of the cross. We can join a prayer group and surround ourselves with caring, Christian friends. We can join a support group in which others share their stories and listen to ours. We can reach out to others who are less fortunate than us and turn our heart-ache into a blessing for them - - just as Jesus did for us.