A question on Ascension Day

From the desk of Fr. Ignatius Waters, cp

Sunday, 13th May 2018

John Hogan was one of Ireland’s greatest sculptors. He was born in Tallow, Co. Waterford in 1800 but lived and worked in Rome for many years. One of his works is on display in the atrium of our still new house. All the years it was in the library of the old monastery where few saw it. At first sight it could be the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor or the Ascension into heaven but with second sight (and good sight!) you will see the imprint of the nails in Jesus’ hands and feet. So, it is the Ascension and Jesus carries the wounds of his Passion in his glorified body. This has something very important to say to us.

Charles Peguy tells the story of a man who died and went to heaven and the recording angel said, “Show me your wounds” and he replied, “Wounds? What wounds? I haven’t any wounds!” And the angel asked, “In your whole life, did you never think anything worth fighting for?” It’s a good question isn’t it? Think about it. What have you fought for? What are you still fighting for? What has wounded you, broken you, along the way? Jesus was wounded because he was passionately involved with people, he defended the weak, he spoke out against injustice, and he challenged the sick systems of his time and place.

If we are fully alive and involved with people, there is no way of avoiding wounds. Life breaks everyone in some way but the great thing and the saving thing is to grow at those broken places. And this is not just talk! It happens. You see it in people. You maybe see it in yourself. You may be broken by loss and separation, by betrayal or marriage breakdown, by failure or sickness or addiction but when you come through the experience, it can fill you with great understanding and compassion for others. Or, of course, it can do the opposite; it can make you harder, more bitter, resentful and protective of yourself – “I’m never going to get involved like that again! No one is going to hurt me like that again!” If you do that, you’re choosing to die before your time. We need to see that God is trying to educate us through everything that happens along the way of our lives. And that means everything – the good and the bad! Often the only way we learn anything worthwhile is by suffering it! Don’t ask me why it has to be like that, but that’s the way it is!

Our wounds too can become glorious wounds. Our wounds can save us!