Vulnera Christi: Introduction

For Holy Week this year, I thought I'd do some reflections on the wounds our Lord suffered on the via crucis. It's important for Christians to think very seriously upon what happened to Our Lord. Too often, we think complacently about the cross without realising what can only be described as agony. Yet, many of us are in agony too. Our own battles with sin, the world and the devil are not nothing in the eyes of God. Yes, we should indeed weep for the wound our sin and wickedness have caused to Our Lord upon the cross and we should weep long and sore at how the One Who loves us suffers for us. However, all through His ministry, Our Lord chooses freely to identify Himself with us in the worst that we are so that we can be the best that He is. His pain is our pain, and our pain is His.

 

Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle,
sing the last, the dread affray;
o'er the cross, the victor's trophy,
sound the high triumphal lay,
how, the pains of death enduring,
earth's Redeemer won the day.

Venantius Fortunatus tr J.M Neale