Wounds Transformed: Finding Flourishing in Christ's Suffering

The affliction of wounds is an inescapable part of the human experience. We often try to hide them, deny their existence, or even parade them as a defining feature of our identity. Yet, these extremes only serve to deepen our suffering. In his insightful book, Cistercian monk Varden, drawing upon the medieval poem of Arnulf of Leuven, guides us towards a profound understanding of wounds, not as isolated afflictions, but as points of connection with the wounds of Christ. He gently encourages us to move beyond a superficial understanding, urging us to consider how our own wounds can be transformed through Christ's sacrifice, leading to a path of healing and flourishing.

Varden challenges us to shift our perspective, asking how we can experience Christ’s wounds not merely as a juridical act of redemption, but as a living source of healing. He emphasizes the contextual nature of wounds, reminding us that they feed on what was once whole. This understanding allows us to see our own wounds in a new light, not as isolated sources of pain, but as shared experiences that connect us to the suffering of Christ. By meditating on Arnulf’s poem, wound by wound, we are invited to "make an act of dispossession," abandoning our fixation on personal misery and focusing instead on the transformative power of love. This shift allows us to embrace a Catholic vocabulary that associates wounds with concepts like love, flourishing, comfort, and gratitude.

The journey towards flourishing begins with understanding the relationship between our wounds and those of Christ. Varden illustrates this by exploring how our healing can prepare us to offer comfort and benefit to others. He highlights Arnulf's perspective, emphasizing the importance of approaching Christ’s wounds with humility and reverence, as exemplified in the meditation on Christ's feet, “Ad pedes.” This perspective, prostrate before the crucified feet, shapes the way we experience those wounds, offering a deeper theological understanding. Similarly, the reflection on Christ's knees, “Ad genua,” leads to a profound exploration of kneeling in worship and receiving Holy Communion, revealing the "soul-space" within us where we acknowledge our unworthiness and seek divine grace.

The acceptance of sin and the need for redemption are crucial steps towards flourishing. Varden reminds us that denying the reality of sin blocks our view of the horizon beyond our wounds. He critiques the "unbiblical fiction" that the world should be experienced as perfect, emphasizing that acknowledging the world as a "vale of tears" is not pessimism, but a recognition of our need for salvation. It is in this paradox, the acceptance of our brokenness and the recognition of Christ's redemptive sacrifice, that we find the path to true flourishing. Easter is not a past event, but a present reality, offering us life, joy, and hope.

Ultimately, Varden’s work offers a profound meditation on the transformative power of Christ’s wounds. By embracing our own wounds and understanding their connection to Christ’s suffering, we can move beyond mere healing towards a state of flourishing. This journey, guided by Arnulf’s poignant poem and Varden’s insightful reflections, invites us to see wounds not as a source of despair, but as a path to deeper understanding, compassion, and ultimately, a richer experience of God’s love.