Christ, Crucified and Risen, is the High Priest who takes part in our weaknesses and who, through the sacrifice of himself unites humanity with God the Father. In his self-gift, Christ breaks down the wall that in the temple separated the chosen people from the pagans. There is no longer any separation; the possibility of walking the road of new life is open to everyone.
Beside Christ, the Mother of God, a figure of the Church who gathers the water and blood that flow from the pierced side of her Son, symbol of the sacraments. A dove is hidden inside the chalice. We contemplate the gift of the Holy Spirit who makes us participate at the life of God himself, the filial life, the life of communion.
Mary-Church, united to Christ, offers the chalice to the centurion, a "pagan" who in reality is the first believer. Behind him opens up a crowd of people who, then, will also be clothed with Christ, indeed, woven into the Body of Christ.
The priestly stole reminds us that, by assuming human nature, Christ has opened to all humanity the possibility of becoming sons and daughters and of living life as communion, as peace, as reconciliation.