Reflection for Sunday 29th March, 2026

Palm Sunday

Jesus the Wounded Healer

“Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection: for the sake of the joy which lay ahead of him, he endured the cross, disregarding the shame of it, and has taken his seat at the right of God’s throne,” (Heb. 12:2).

It is the time of year when Christians remember the death and resurrection of Jesus, the most important days in human history. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.

You may have a crucifix at home, perhaps a small one on a rosary beads. Accompany Jesus by praying the Stations of the Cross. Maybe you can download the picture. The one you see nailed in pain is the wounded healer.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still and trust in me.” (John 14:1)

John’s Gospel begins his account of the passing of Jesus thus: “Jesus, knowing that the time had come to pass from this world to the Father, having loved those who were his in the world, loved them to the end” (John 13:1). Jesus might have saved us in a painless way but his total love inspired him to enter into solidarity with all who suffer. He chose to be a seed dying in the earth before producing new life. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still and trust in me.” (John 14:1) He has fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “By his wounds we are healed.”
Actions speak more loudly than words. By entering suffering he is telling us, “No matter how you are suffering, I am there with you.” This is what is called compassion, which literally means suffering with somebody. The Letter to the Hebrews, also written for a people going through a hard time, calls Jesus a compassionate high priest. “For the suffering he himself passed through, while being put to the test, enables him to help others when they are being put to the test,” (Heb 2:18).

The many sufferings of Jesus

Think of all the ways Jesus suffered. By entering into solidarity with us, he is telling us “No matter what you are suffering, I am there with you.” People who have suffered an injustice might remember how Jesus too was a victim of false charges and an unjust trial. He was mocked and spat upon. People who have been betrayed in marriage will relate to the cold kiss of Judas on the cheek of Jesus. When we feel let down by friends, remember that Jesus was deserted by many of his closest followers. He experienced family pain as he looked at his mother at the foot of the cross. As Simeon foretold many years previously, a sword of sorrow pierced her heart. Think of the physical suffering … crowned with thorns, scourged with whips, falling under the cross, nailed through hands and feet. His breathing began to choke his swelling throat. Every movement of his body stabbed a new pain. He even entered the darkness of spiritual dereliction: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” (Matt 27: 46). He has fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “By his wounds we are healed.”
The wounded Lord is with us these difficult days. But the buds of hope can be seen in the extraordinary goodness of people. Volunteers in every parish make life better for others. About 80% of charitable organizations were founded by Catholics.
Think of the humble donkey carrying Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. I may not have much to offer, but the little sacrifice I make for the wellbeing of others represents Jesus the wounded healer. “Ours were the sufferings he bore, ours the sorrows he carried.” (Isaiah 54:4).
“Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection,” (Heb 12:2)