The soldier who pierced Christ
And opened for us the fountain of life.
Did you know that just as Eve was formed from the side of Adam, the Church was born from the side of Christ?
In that moment, God’s “spiritual seminal fluid” gushed forth into Mary’s “spiritual womb” after Jesus declared: “Woman, here is your son.” (John 19:26). The birth of the Church happened when Christ’s side was pierced!
Wow.
All this wouldn’t have happened hadn’t the soldier pierced Him.
Here’s his story (inspired by St. Catherine’s visions):
Tradition states that St. Longinus, suffered from poor vision and was mocked by his fellow soldiers for it. But once he drove the spear into Our Lord’s sacred heart, the blood and water that came out splashed into Longinus’ eyes and restored his sight. He instantly converted.
He was ordained a deacon, boldly professed himself a Christian, and was arrested.
And when commanded by the governor of that region to pay homage to the pagan gods, the former centurion persistently refused. He endured cruel tortures for his refusal, bravely enduring his tongue being cut out and teeth extracted.
We are told that dark spirits inhabited the governor’s idols, and, despite his mouth being destroyed, Longinus miraculously spoke loud and clear:
“Now we shall see whether they are truly gods!”
And, seizing an unattended ax, he smashed the figures of the false gods to pieces! The now-homeless demons took possession of the governor, who became physically blinded as a result.
Longinus then asked the evil spirits,
“Why take ye up your abode in idols?”
Their reply was, “Where the name of Christ is not heard and the sign of His Cross not imposed, there is our dwelling-place.”
With new fury, the governor ordered Longinus to be killed on the spot. The attending guards quickly beheaded the saint, and his blood sprayed over the governors’ face.
Apparently, the devils quickly left the governor, seeking to avoid the martyr’s lifeblood, and his sight miraculously returned.
He too embraced the Christian faith.
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