The Gift Of Our Wounds Being On The Outside

This is a repost, but I think it is a worthwhile re-read. I know that I am currently in a place of remembering what a beautiful gift sharing our wounds with safe people can be. Healing comes when we allow people to touch our wounds.  

I have recently been pondering the idea that our exposed wounds can become a gift of peace, healing to others and also serve as a witness of faith. A friend gave me some food for thought by having me consider the value of Jesus’ wounds being on the outside, visible, touchable, and exposed. It called to mind today’s gospel from John…it says that they sat in fear and upon first uttering peace into the room, Jesus used His exposed wounds as a manifestation of that same peace. In the same story from the gospel of Luke, they were in doubt and Jesus, once again, shows His wounds to dispel that doubt and replace it with faith, trust, and hope that resurrection comes from suffering. 

Exposure then (having our wounds on the outside) can become a convicted testimony at some point. I know for me, I have been so concerned that my exposed wounds would simply be an invitation for people’s judgment, but today’s gospel helps me to fathom that my exposed wounds can be a witness that I have been changed by Christ, healed from a particular sin or illness, and now live in the light and wellness. The only way for that testimony to be shared is for me to let those healed over scars breathe peace into the sacred space between us, most especially when fear and doubt reside. There doesn’t need to be a big confrontation or public shaming, just an extension of those tender marks of suffering to be seen as reminders that healing has taken place. 

This reflection made me think of an activity that we did when I used to run 6^thGrade Camp. We would take the kids through the historic gold mining town of Julian, CA for the day. It was modeled after the show, The Amazing Race.Tribes would race through Julian using a map of the town and a Bible. The clues were Bible passages that led them to a very specific place in town where they would study the historical significance of that location and perform 2 challenges. The challenges varied from writing a limerick to be performed to a passerby on the street, to giving a eulogy at the oldest tombstone they could find in the cemetery, and praying for the dead. One of the challenges at the old jail (literally one cell with bars) was to share our scar stories. I would usually open with some sort of light-hearted scar story to warm them all up. The shy ones usually sat in silence terrified that they might have to share. The joker of the group would always chime in promptly after me and share a funny anecdote usually involving recklessness and stupidity. Then, one by one, each would gain the courage to share and the stories varied in levity and severity. We would laugh and react accordingly, feeling every fall, and every stitches story. Inevitably, someone (usually one of the shy ones) would share a more serious story, perhaps a surgery, or a cancer scar, or a major medical issue, and then we’d get real. We would comfort and feel with and sometimes sit in silence depending on the story. I would pull all the stories together as reminders of pain and past hurts, yes, but now they are badges of victory and healing that we wear on the outside. 

These scars tell us that we are healed from something. These scars show our woundedness restored. These scars represent pain turned into laughter to be shared triumphantly with those we love. The wounds on the outside remind us of what is on the inside. Healing is visible in our scars, still tender to the touch, still different looking, but nonetheless healed. Scar stories are our own glimpse at resurrection. Recently, a friend told me that my new scar from a skin cancer surgery that is next to my heart is the gateway through which Jesus imparts his heart to mine. This was Thomas’ prayer today, to chase away his unbelief by allowing Jesus to impart his heart through his wounds. 

I don’t wish for our wounds to be on the outside, however, if they are exposed for whatever reason, have faith that God will work through them as a sign of His great love and mercy. Jesus shows us His scars today as a testimony of peace when fear, doubt, and lack of faith consume us. May we also offer our wounds to one another as peace offerings that give witness to the glory of God working within us. It is well with my soul. 

Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle
Lectionary: 593

Reading 1 EPH 2:19-22

Brothers and sisters:
You are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God, 
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
Through him the whole structure is held together
and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord;
in him you also are being built together
into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm PS 117:1BC, 2

R.(Mark 16:15) Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
Praise the LORD, all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
For steadfast is his kindness for us,
and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever. 
R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

Alleluia JN 20:29

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;
blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel JN 20:24-29

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,
was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord."
But Thomas said to them,
"Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands
and put my finger into the nailmarks
and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."
Now a week later his disciples were again inside
and Thomas was with them.
Jesus came, although the doors were locked,
and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you."
Then he said to Thomas, "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."
Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."