Message from the Pastor

Healing is a Journey

After the Easter service, I was browsing Facebook and came across a unique painting by James Tissot, titled “Ce que voyait Notre-Seigneur sur la Croix” or “What Our Lord Saw from the Cross.” Unlike traditional depictions of the crucifixion, Tissot’s painting offers a radical perspective: it shows the scene from Jesus’s point of view. In this painting, we see only a small portion of Jesus’s feet, while the rest of the canvas is filled with the faces of those present at the crucifixion—Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of Jesus, Apostle John, the religious leaders, Roman soldiers, and the crowd.

This perspective invites us to imagine ourselves in Christ’s place, experiencing his final thoughts and feelings as he gazed upon his enemies and friends. It’s a heartbreaking scene, filled with physical, emotional, and mental anguish. Jesus’s suffering on the cross was not just physical; it was a profound emotional and spiritual trauma. He bore the weight of betrayal, rejection, and humiliation.

In our own lives, we too experience wounds and traumas. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, the pain of betrayal, or the burden of caregiving, we all have our own crosses to bear. These wounds can manifest in many ways—sadness, fear, anxiety, rage, depression, and isolation. Just as Jesus kept the scars from his crucifixion on his resurrected body, we carry our wounds with us. They become part of our identity, a testament to our resilience and strength.

Jesus’s wounds are a symbol of solidarity with trauma survivors. He understands our pain and stands with us in our suffering. His resurrection offers us hope and the promise of new life. Our God is a God of restoration, a life-giver, a redeemer, and a sustainer. He leads us to green pastures of happiness and still waters of peace.

Healing is a journey, and there is no shortcut to processing difficult memories and circumstances. However, with the amazing power of Divine support, safe friends and family, a supportive community, trained counselors, and appropriate medications, we can find the strength to rise again. Just as Jesus rose from the  dark place of abuse and oppression, we too can rise in healing.

Let us remember that we are not alone in our suffering. Jesus stands with us, bearing his wounds as a sign of solidarity. Together, we can find hope, healing, and new beginnings.

Blessings, Pastor Danyal