Contemplation on Woundedness

Contemplation on Woundedness

(A Spiritual Exercise)

1. I make a gesture of reverence like a bow, folded hands in prayer, or the Sign of the Cross.
2. I enter a period of silence and meditation.
3. I think about what I desire, that I desire to discover and be healed of my woundedness.
4. I remember how God has always been with me, helping me and healing me.
5. I read the Prayer Texts below:

Hebrews 13: 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.” 6 Let us be bold, then, and say:

“The Lord is my helper,

I will not be afraid.

What can anyone do to me?”                    

John 20:26 A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then stretch out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!.” (GNBDK)

1 Cor 12:12 Christ is like a single body, which has many parts; it is still one body, even though it is made up of different parts. 13 In the same way, all of us, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether slaves or free, have been baptized into the one body by the same Spirit, and we have all been given the one Spirit to drink. (GNBDK)

I meditate in silence, thinking about the prayer texts above.

Are there any physical, mental, or spiritual wounds God can help me with today?

I wonder why Jesus kept his wounds when he could have been resurrected in a perfect body.

I wonder if my wounds are a part of Jesus body and his a part of my body.

6. I enter into silent meditation, touching my healed wounds and scars and if I am in a group. I show my scars and allow others to touch them and touch others’ wounds and scars if appropriate.

7. If doing this exercise in a group, I gently share my thoughts in confidence, and whether alone or in a group, I verbally forgive any who have wounded me. I will write these matters down in my Journal when I am finished for future reflection and action.

8. I am silent again, this time hoping to enter a state of thoughtless contemplation, allowing God to heal any remaining wounds in my heart, body, and mind in the way he chooses.

9. I resolve to share in the sufferings of others, of the world, of those who are dying and the poor, of those alone, and the sufferings of Jesus whom I and others disappoint when we sin.  

10. I recite the Lord’s Prayer myself or in my group together in communion with others.

11. I smile because I know I am healed and forgiven, as wide and long a smile as appropriate, and maybe I laugh because now I know God is big enough to take care of me solve my problems.  I can’t believe I perhaps thought he was not big enough to solve all my problems.

12. If anything is still unresolved I will share the matters with my Spiritual Director, Pastor, or counselor, or friends. I resolve to take this exercise again as often as needed. I will share this exercise with others as appropriate.

John Cooper

Tuscaloosa, AL