The scars are proof of His love

When I was about eight years old, I had an accident. I was at a birthday party and about to have my lunch. I remember that I was so excited – running while carrying a glass soda bottle. Next thing I recall, I was bleeding from my chin after falling down. I also remember my mom tending to my wound and embracing me. As I cried in her loving arms, she told me I was going to be OK. Words I will never forget.

The injury left me with a scar. Every time I look at myself in the mirror (which I avoid, as I get older) I see that scar on my chin. It is a reminder of that painful moment.

I think many can relate. Many of us have scars of injuries left behind. Sometimes the scars are not physical; sometimes they are emotional or psychological. Either way, scars remind us of painful moments in our lives and the suffering we’ve endured over the years.

Sometimes it’s what someone has said to us or did to us and how it made us feel that leaves a profound scar in our hearts, minds and even the soul. Sometimes the scars are from the betrayal of a friend, a relative or a co-worker. A person’s judgment, bullying, rejection, abandonment or even someone’s death can leave deep scars in our lives.

In the Gospel of John, the Risen Lord Jesus shows doubting Thomas the scars of the wounds of his painful crucifixion and invites him to “put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” (Jn 20:27).

Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus then said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” (Jn 20:28-29).

Thomas encounters the love of the risen Jesus and is forgiven for his unbelief. Jesus encourages him to believe and doubt no more. Thomas responds “my Lord and my God” because his heart has been changed into a heart that can love once again.

Thomas encounters Jesus the wounded healer, the one pierced, the gentle healer of our souls.

“In his Passover Christ opened to all men the fountain of baptism. He had already spoken of his Passion, which he was about to suffer in Jerusalem, as a “baptism” with which he had to be baptized. The blood and water that flowed from the pierced side of the crucified Jesus are types of Baptism and the Eucharist, the sacraments of new life. From then on, it is possible “to be born of water and the Spirit” in order to enter the Kingdom of God.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1225).

The Risen Lord greets the apostles with “Peace be with you”, not with “where were you cowards, why did you abandon me, betray me or deny me?” He greets them in this manner indicating that he forgives them. They were hiding because they were afraid, they didn’t want to die like their master. The Lord Jesus, the one pierced, comes to bring them and us peace.

There is a song by Michael Card and John Michael Talbot (from the album Brother to Brother) called “Healer of My Soul.” The song, one of my favorites, reminds me of why Jesus came into the world: He came to heal the world. These are the lyrics to the song:
“Keeper of my soul, On rough course faring, Help and safeguard my means this night, Keeper of my soul; I am tired of stray and stumbling, Heal my soul from the snare of sin. Healer of my soul, Heal me at evening, Heal me at morning, Heal me at noon, Healer of my soul.”

St. Ambrose tells us that baptism reminds us that we have been saved and redeemed by Jesus: “See where you are baptized, see where baptism comes from, if not from the cross of Christ, from his death. There is the whole mystery: he died for you. In him you are redeemed, in him you are saved.”

The Lord Jesus rises from the dead out of love for us. He rose in the midst of our difficult lives. Just as he entered the room where the apostles were, he enters our messy world, he enters our messy lives. He comes to heal our broken lives.

The scars of Jesus are proof of his love for the redemption of the world. That is what love does, love suffers for the other. This is what Divine Mercy is; God forgives us, God heals us and God restores us to new life.

At the Easter vigil service of light, when the celebrant completes the consecration of the Easter Candle, he recites: “By his holy and glorious wounds may Christ our Lord guard us and keep us. Amen.” This is prayed after the five nails are placed on the Easter Candle, a reminder that Jesus comes to heal us by his glorious wounds. He comes to heal our broken world.

Just like the Risen Lord Jesus invites Thomas to believe, he invites us to believe in him. In our daily struggles and in times of doubt and trouble, he wants to be there and heal us.

Sacred Heart of Jesus and healer of our souls, pray for us.