WITHOUT THE WOUNDS (1)

There is a story from the life of St Teresa, the Little Flower, who while at prayer received a visit from the devil disguised as Jesus. She soon recognized him as fake and when asked by the devil how she knew, she replied: “You don’t have any wounds.”

The wounds on the risen body of Jesus are a reminder of the importance of sacrifice: letting go of ourselves, even if it means death. This death may come about by letting go of our wealth, our hatred, our lust and so on. This mean absolute surrender to God, however we perceive God, and living simply that others may simply live.    

Jesus had died many deaths before the crucifixion. He had let go of his divinity for one. In his humanity he kept nothing for himself, neither status nor wealth nor earthly power. This was for the sole purpose of living in the peace of God’s Kingdom. So when we look at the Risen Jesus, we need to look also at his wounds: not in a negative manner but “without the wounds Jesus would be a nobody”. 

It is the same for us! 

DISCUSSION: How does this thinking relate to our work as Vincentians?

PRAYER

The doors were closed
Jesus came in and stood among them,                      
‘Peace be with you,’ he said.
Then he spoke to Thomas,
‘Put your finger here;
Look, here are my hands.
Give me your hand;
Put it into my side.
Doubt no longer but believe’.
Thomas replied:
‘My Lord and my God!’

(1) Acknowledgment to Fr Simi, PP Levin/Otaki for the inspiration: Sunday homily, 20.4.25.