Where Are Your Wounds?
Excerpt from John 20: 11 - 20
"Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you.' After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side."
Reflection by Anthony B. Robinson
Two men faced God on the day of judgment. One looked beat and beat-up. Arm in sling, forehead bandaged, clothes tattered and torn. He looked awful. Moreover, his life had been so hard, he felt a failure. Ashamed, he would not lift up his face to look upon the Lord.
The second man looked as if he just stepped off the tennis court after winning his morning set. Dressed smartly, he was tanned and fit. His teeth gleamed. He appeared to have been nipped-and-tucked in the right places. Relaxed, he smiled confidently at the Lord.
The Lord looked at the two men, then turned to the one who was tanned and tucked and said, "Where are your wounds? Was there nothing to fight for down there?"
All of the stories of our Risen Lord returned have this element in common: Jesus' wounds are visible. He does not return unblemished, cleaned up, without sign of struggle or suffering. He returns to us bearing his wounds.
If you bear the wounds of the struggle for justice and peace, if you bear the wounds of battles for truth and righteousness, do not be ashamed. If life has not always been easy for you, do not be ashamed. You are in good company, actually the very best company. "Peace be with you," said Jesus, who then "showed them his hands and his side."
Prayer
Lord, who does not look upon appearances but upon the heart, speak your word of peace to all who struggle and suffer in the cause of righteousness and truth. Amen.
"Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you.' After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side."
Reflection by Anthony B. Robinson
Two men faced God on the day of judgment. One looked beat and beat-up. Arm in sling, forehead bandaged, clothes tattered and torn. He looked awful. Moreover, his life had been so hard, he felt a failure. Ashamed, he would not lift up his face to look upon the Lord.
The second man looked as if he just stepped off the tennis court after winning his morning set. Dressed smartly, he was tanned and fit. His teeth gleamed. He appeared to have been nipped-and-tucked in the right places. Relaxed, he smiled confidently at the Lord.
The Lord looked at the two men, then turned to the one who was tanned and tucked and said, "Where are your wounds? Was there nothing to fight for down there?"
All of the stories of our Risen Lord returned have this element in common: Jesus' wounds are visible. He does not return unblemished, cleaned up, without sign of struggle or suffering. He returns to us bearing his wounds.
If you bear the wounds of the struggle for justice and peace, if you bear the wounds of battles for truth and righteousness, do not be ashamed. If life has not always been easy for you, do not be ashamed. You are in good company, actually the very best company. "Peace be with you," said Jesus, who then "showed them his hands and his side."
Prayer
Lord, who does not look upon appearances but upon the heart, speak your word of peace to all who struggle and suffer in the cause of righteousness and truth. Amen.
|
