I have a charmingly mischievous 4-year-old niece who is queen of the unexpected! Recently, after she left my parents’ house, my mom found a band-aid on her crucifix. Right there on Jesus’ upper arm was placed a small band-aid. It was a spontaneous and loving gesture from the pure heart of a child. Perhaps it was her way of saying: “I’m sorry that You are suffering. I want to make it better.” Children teach us so much about love. If only, as adults, we could be that simple!
When my mom emailed the photo to me, the subject line read: “That’s what love does.” No doubt we could say that about my niece wanting to console Jesus. And we could also say it about Jesus, hanging upon the Cross for our salvation: That’s what love does!
As we stand on the threshold of Holy Week, face to face with Jesus’ death on a Cross, not only do we experience our deep and continual need for freedom from the stranglehold of sin, but we also see how much Our Lord suffered for that freedom. And we may wonder: What band-aid could possibly make that better?
Perhaps the best band-aid (a.k.a. consolation or reparation) we can offer Our Lord this Holy Week is to simply receive His love poured out from His pierced Heart on the Cross. Will we dare to open wide our hearts to Him this Holy Week, so as to be healed by His wounds of love! Then with St. Bernard we can cry out: “Easily they love more who realize they are loved more.”
Let us not be afraid! We can trust Him with our open and wounded hearts. He is the healer. So often we fear vulnerability even with God. But look, gaze, and consider our loving Savior as He hung upon the Cross! What could be more vulnerable than the Crucified One? No matter how heinous the sin, how deep the wound, or how gripping the addiction, we can be utterly confident that when we approach Him with an open heart, He will receive us and heal us and set us free.
It really is quite simple: We have only to offer Him the “band-aid” of our open hearts. He will receive our little act of love. And He will pour out His salvific grace upon us. And with Him we will rise. Because that’s what love does.
How very sweet. This is a beautiful meditation. Thank you.
Beautiful reflections Sister!
What a sweet, wonderful act of love by a little child!! You say that we often fear vulnerability with God. What could be more wonderful than to be vulnerable before Him. I will sometimes say to someone “If ever you doubt the love of God for you, spend 5 minutes looking at a crucifix. That should surely put your doubts to rest.” This week we have the opportunity to spend time with this crucified King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Time to gaze upon Him on the cross and realize that His love continues through the ages. Let us kneel at the foot of the cross and be vessels to catch every drop of His precious blood that trickles down from His brutally wounded body. O dearest Lord, make of us chalices worthy to hold Your precious blood, vessels filled with love for You, love that might somehow comfort you in your awful sufferings.
BEAUTIFUL!
From the simple love of a child and the simple love of God comes the simple and heart felt love of a nun. Thank you , sister it was beautiful
Thank you Sister, have a Blessed Holy Week!
I hope that Band Aid stays put…what a beautiful and heart touching truth…”Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God” said our Lord Jesus Christ. How the little children teach us with their open hearts full of love for Christ, and such hope they give in every way…thank you for sharing this with us!
What an awesome reflection. Thank you for all your prayers sisters. We miss you Michelle.
peace and grace this Holy Week.