What's So Important About Blood and Water?

[Michie]

In the Passion, every detail matters​

This Good Friday, we will hear St. John’s account of the Passion. The entire narrative is moving. But St. John wants one part in particular to stand out to his listeners—Jesus being pierced with a lance. He writes,

When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.
Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and that they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.
An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may come to believe (19:30-35).

Continued below.

What's So Important About Blood and Water?

Why does St. John in his Gospel focus so hard on this detail of Our Lord's passion? What difference do blood and water make?

www.catholic.com