Welcome to Day 50 of our reflections on the gospel of John!  Thanks so much for joining us.  Contact us at www.markandkatiemartinez.com.

A Reflection on John 20:24-31

“Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand and place it in my side.’” (v 27)

“Intimacy is the fruit that grows through touching one another’s wounds.” (Henri Nouwen)

Jesus: “Intimacy with you is my heart’s desire. To be so completely united with you, as the Bridegroom with His bride: this is why I came to earth.

Here I stand. Come, place your finger in my hands, my feet, my side. Feel my Sacred Heart beating. Touch my wounds. See that what was meant for evil, my Father meant for good; what was once dead is alive, what was sorrowful has become glorious. This is the transformational power of the Holy Spirit, who brings the dead back to life. And that power is available to you. Will you now allow Me to touch your wounds?

I know you are afraid. I know that to open up your wounds to me will likely open up great sorrow in you. It is true that exposing your wounds to Me may hurt. But as the Divine Physician, I alone can heal them. If you allow me to touch your wounds, I will transform them as My own have been transformed. I will turn your sorrow into dancing. I will turn your tears into laughter. Child, I can do this. If you allow Me too, I will.

And when you are made whole, the intimacy you will know with Me will be more than anything you’ve ever desired or imagined. We will be one, and ‘no one will take your joy from you’ (John 16:22).”

Can I open my heart fully to the Lord today and allow Him to touch my wounds?

Prayer: My Jesus, I do want your healing touch. I do want intimacy with you. Please, Lord, give me grace to allow you into the deepest places. Transform my wounds, that I may say with St. Augustine, “In my deepest wound I saw Your glory, and it dazzled me.”  Amen.

Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved worldwide.