Gospel Reflections for April 3 2016
Why did Jesus still have wounds?
In today’s Gospel, Thomas hears others describe their experience of the risen Jesus and His wounds. Thomas, whose name means “twin,” has doubts.
But I am sure Thomas never doubted that Jesus rose. After all, Our Lord predicted it several times. Perhaps Thomas just did not believe that the risen Jesus still has wounds! Would not a resurrected person come back completely healed of all marks of suffering? How is it possible that after rising from the dead, Jesus would still have the marks of His crucifixion?
When Thomas finally meets Jesus he sees that even though Our Lord still has the marks of His wounds …He suffers no pain from them! The love He received from God who raised Him from the dead is more powerful than any hurt He would receive from any person who crucified Him. That is the insight for us today. That same powerful love of God is available to us as well.
Love heals all wounds. We express that with a beautiful custom that you can often see where people work. We place pictures of our family or loved ones at our workplace or wallet to remind us every day just why we endure all the troubles that we suffer for them. Our love for them transforms our sacrifice.
Even if we still remember past hurts from long ago, we know we are truly healed when our experience of God’s love makes even past memories no longer painful even if still strongly felt. With God’s love we are stronger than our wounds …as they affirm we too have risen from our cross.
Jesus presents Himself to Thomas just as He does to each of us today. But notice that Thomas does not say, “Jesus! It’s you! Welcome back!” …instead he says, “My Lord, and my God!” Seeing that wounds no longer hurt but can transform is enough for Thomas to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Let our response mirror his, and so echo his name as our “twin.” The Resurrection affirms our future with the Lord and transforms our wounds today.
Christians in the Middle East today also suffer the harshest persecution. Their wounds are obvious and yet so is their profound courage facing radical Islamic terrorists. They have found that courage in the love of God that transforms them just as it did Our Lord.
Jesus is still in the world transforming us, and our wounds, but only for those who are open and ask for His grace. Let us do so as well, and echo the words of Thomas, “My Lord and My God!”
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Love your interpretation Father Dave!!!!!” Love heals all wounds!! The Resurrection affirms our future with the Lord and transforms our wounds”!!! Beautifullyl expressed!!!Love our beautiful Jesus and our precious faith of love, forgiveness, transformation and joy!! We must transform our wounds with our God’s loving grace to heal ourselves and to touch others in love!!! Dick and I so feel for our precious Christians in the Middle East!! They are part of our hearts and we pray that the Islamic terrorists will end their violence!!! They have never experienced love or our precious Jesus!! We must pray for their defeat!!or by a miracle of love be transformed!!
With love, Franca and Dick
Yes, we must always continue to pray for Christians, especially in Iraq and Syria.
This reflection is especially helpful. I always thought it meant that if you love enough you can stop a wound from occurring or continuing to occur. What I hear in this interpretation is that very real wounds no longer hurt when overshadowed by being in the love of God.
Yes, that is the center idea of my reflections. Love heals all wounds, even if the marks or memories might remain.
Another beautiful insight that I’ve never heard or thought of. Thanks again!
Happy Divine Mercy Sunday!
You are very welcome. I am always amazed at the amount of new insights the Gospels reveal even after reading them for many years.
I always thought that Thomas just didn’t believe that the person that the others saw was really Jesus. Thomas would have to see the wounds of Jesus to clearly identify Him. But as you say, Thomas’ exclamation is “My Lord, and my God!” Seeing that wounds no longer hurt but can transform is enough for Thomas to believe that Jesus is the Son of God.”
I guess it is another one of those mysteries that the miserably-treated body of Christ would present His risen self as “Lord” (King) robed in splendor, with signs of affliction turned into symbols of love and healing.. It is truly easy to believe that Thomas’ wounds, and ours, are healed by his glorified wounds..
Yes, and that this reading is connected to mercy Sunday only increases its meaning and impact. The merciful flow of grace proceeds from te wounded heart of Jesus.
Simple explanation but it penetrates deeply in our hearts. Thank you.
God bless you more and may your tribe increase.
Belinda
Thank you!
Your reflection really brings alive that scripture that says “By His stripes we are healed.”
If we all could just take that ad accept Gods healing power. I have been listening o the Lighthouse DVD’s and one of them talks about the healing power of God and the power and healing of forgiveness which Jesus even said on the cross. Father forgive them.
I remember going through a 2-year process of forgiving my Father who was a violent alcoholic. After choosing to forgive it became real and then it went to compassion as Our Lord did show me why. My grandmother was a violent alcoholic and they went through pure hell growing up. It was when he was out hee in a convalescent hospital that he came out of senility long enough to ask me why he did all those things and I told him that I forgave him and I know my sisters would and the most important thig was that Jesus was in his life. He said He was. Then he went back into that state of senility. Carol McGovern and I have seen many times when this has happened when we would have prayer meetings in the convalescent hospital. What a joy it was.
Thank you much for your listening to the Lord and giving such great reflections. It brings healing to all.
Thank you for sharing your story!
“Even if we still remember past hurts from long ago, we know we are truly healed when our experience of God’s love makes even past memories no longer painful even if still strongly felt. With God’s love we are stronger than our wounds …as they affirm we too have risen from our cross.”.
This hits home for me. Thank you. I will take away the image of my wounds being painless and powerless because of the strength of God’s love and mercy.
Well said!
Thanks as always Fr Dave. Truths, simply put.
The Gospel is a treasure chest of insights.