I want to tell you about something I find achingly beautiful - something that blows my mind and heals my soul.Did you know that Jesus is signed by tapping the palm of one hand with the middle finger of the other, and vice-versa? This tactile sign indicates the wounds Jesus sustained when he was nailed to the cross. The creators of British, American and Australian sign language chose the wounds of Jesus as the defining hallmark of his identity. It's a fact that makes me sit up and take notice.We might wonder why God chose not to wipe out these scars from Jesus's resurrected body. In one sense Jesus needs those scars to prove to Thomas, the apostles and us, that he really is the same Jesus, the Crucified One whom God has brought back to life. But is there more we can learn from his wounds?

Reflecting on Christ and the cross in his first letter, the apostle Peter tells his readers:

He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2: 24)

Peter is quoting words from a passage in the Old Testament (Isaiah 53:4-5), to make a powerful link between Isaiah's Suffering Servant and Jesus the Crucified Messiah.

Handel's Messiah picks out those same words (using the King James Version) in his famous Chorus. You may like to listen to it during this season.

Surely, surely, he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him: and with his stripes we are healed.

Handel's emphatic repetition of the words: 'Surely, surely' encourages me to hope that suffering - my own and the world's - may not turn out to be as pointless as it first seems. I am reassured it can be transformed into something better.Peter's letter points out a dual purpose of Christ's cross and resurrection: the healing of suffering and the forgiveness of sins. Some suffering just happens to us, but there is also pain we cause. The risen Christ bearing his scars gives us courage to face both.

When the risen Jesus appears to different people we see different aspects of healing taking place. With the gentle greeting, of ‘Mary!' in the garden Jesus brings solace in sorrow (John 20:16). With his command: 'Feed my sheep!'(John 21:17) Jesus brings restoration after remorse and repentance to Peter who denied him. And with 'Put your finger here and see my hands', Jesus offers Thomas concrete certainty to dispel his doubt.(John 20:27)

Are you feeling downcast today? Are you feeling guilt, shame or humiliation? Have you ever felt rejected or betrayed? Are you tempted to doubt God's power and goodness? Take heart! Jesus's closest disciples and even Jesus himself experienced trials and overcame them. We too are beloved and forgivable. God is with us and for us. During my life I've experienced and observed how God still comes to meet people and refresh their hope. During this Passiontide and Easter, I invite you to tap the palm of one hand with the middle finger of the other, and vice-versa, and say Jesus. Ponder. What healing does God want to hold out to you? How will this Easter mystery: 'By his wounds you have been healed' ring true for you? Like Thomas, may you find yourself exclaiming in amazement, 'My Lord and my God!'

Risen Christ,
your wounds declare your love for the world
and the wonder of your risen life:
give us compassion and courage
to risk ourselves for those we serve,
to the glory of God the Father.

Collect for the 5th Sunday of Easter

Easter Peace, Revd Diane, assistant curate.