Those who care about others pick up a lot of wounds as they go through life. Perhaps there are no great wounds but only a multiplicity of little ones – a host of scratches, wrinkles and welts. Yet these are only the visible wounds.
What about the myriad of invisible wounds: the furrows left on the mind, and the soul by hardship, worry and anxiety? And those piercing ones which affect that most sensitive part of us – the heart – things like disappointments, ingratitude, betrayal. Emotional hurt hits you in the gut and can be harder to deal with than physical hurt.
But these wounds are not things to be ashamed of. They are the proof of our love. Will anyone see these wounds and come to believe in our love because of them? Even if no one else sees them, God sees them, and he is proud of us, for he sees that we resemble his Son. We must not look at a person’s achievements only, but at his/ her wounds and scars.
Jesus didn’t hide his wounds for they were the proof of his love. They were the mortal wounds the Good Shepherd suffered in defending his flock from the wolf. He invited the apostles to touch those wounds. It was by touching and being touched that they were healed of their unbelief. His wounds give us hope in our wounds.
Jesus didn’t become embittered because of his wounds. Neither should we. Having brought peace and healing to the apostles, Jesus commissioned them to go and bring the good news to others. Jesus wants us to be witnesses to his resurrection. A sad, embittered person is a poor witness.
From the Psalm: Lift up the light of your face on us, O lord.
with love and prayers, Fr Michael