The Wounds of Christ

Before we initiate a reflection on the wounds of Jesus Christ, we need to understand what a wound is. A physical wound is visible and often can be treated easily. But the wounds that originate when our self-worth is fractured are harder to detect and can take inordinate time and effort to heal. A wound can be defined as a painful and humiliating experience that hurts a person and continues to impact relationship with others, God, self, and creation, even after a long time. A wound can be caused by magnifying an event or even by a mere perception of an event as hurtful and humiliating. Experiences of betrayal, rejection, shame, neglect, abuse, discrimination and so forth can become a seedbed for developing a wounded spirit. Such wounds can be called wounds beneath our skin. The unavoidable truth is that wounds are part of human life. Everyone has them. 

Wounds not healed become infectious. Wounds can make us bitter, afraid, disconnected, angry and even violent. Infectious wounds drain us of our joy, poison our peace and stunt our growth. Wounds not healed impact us badly and like a cancer, can gradually spread to all aspects of our lives. The wounds of Christ give us hope and tell us that like Christ, our wounds do not have to make us bitter, reactive, or stunted. 

Jesus was the Son of God and at the same time a human like any of us. He did experience human fragility, including wounds. His body was literally pierced, however, what pierced His heart and spirit was much more painful. Jesus underwent many painful experiences, particularly experiences of betrayal, rejection, and abuse. The beautiful truth about the wounds of Jesus is that, though intensely painful, He made His wounds a means of healing and wholeness for humanity.[1] It is a great paradox that Jesus heals us by his wounds. Prophet Isaiah (53:5) acknowledged this paradox saying, “by his wounds, we are healed”. 

Being human, we too have our wounds. However painful our wounds, they need not be an obstacle to the joy, growth, and beloved-ness that we so desire, instead they can become the means to them.[2]  Like Christ and united with God, we too can allow our wounds to become the means of healings and blessings for ourselves and others.

John Baptist OFM Cap. | Clinical Counselor & Psychospiritual Resource Person | Pennsylvania, USA

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[1] John Baptist, 2021, Brokenness to Wholeness, Delhi: Media House. 

[2] John Baptist, 2021, Brokenness to Wholeness, Delhi: Media House.