1. Jesus’ Suffering Was Magnified
We know from Scripture that Jesus’ emotions were so heightened that He sweat blood. Hematidrosis causes capillaries to burst, creating tiny tears in His blood vessels, and His entire body became like an open wound. Every bruise, every lash, every spear prodding was magnified, becoming even more painful than the brutal treatment He actually received. O my Jesus, may our love for You be magnified just as Your suffering was magnified for us.
2. Multiplication of Wounds
From the time Jesus was arrested, He was pushed, shoved, and beaten. The Scourging went on much longer than was legally allowed to “make an example” of Him. Each blow from the metal scourges raised a swollen welt; then subsequent scourges broke them open like smashing a grape, releasing a constant flow of blood to run onto His dirt-stained, sweaty back.
During the Carrying of the Cross, soldiers mercilessly whipped Him and prodded Him with spears, causing more blood to flow. His garment stuck to those open wounds, so when they stripped it from His back, chunks of scabbed flesh were torn away as well, causing Him to gasp in pain. O my Jesus, You bore hundreds of these hidden wounds out of love for each of us, for you and for me.
3. Jesus’ Eyes
Throughout the day, the crown of thorns scraped Jesus’ scalp, causing a trickle of blood that mixed with sweat, dust, and dirt and ran into His eyes. How much it troubles us when we get even a tiny speck in our own eyes. This constant source of irritation was eased for only a very short time when Veronica wiped Jesus’ face with her veil. Her reward for facing down the soldiers and performing this act of kindness was that the image of Jesus’ face was miraculously transferred onto her veil. O my Jesus, may I remember this suffering whenever I have some minor pain.
4. Jesus’ Massive Shoulder Wound
Jesus revealed to St. Bernard that, “I had on my shoulder while I bore my cross, a grievous wound which was more painful than all the others and which is not recorded by men.”
Visualize an open gash on Jesus’ shoulder from the constant jarring of the rough cross. Every step, every stumble, every fall, the heavy cross tore into His flesh, a horrendous wound which laid bare His very bones. Oh, Jesus. Oh, my Jesus.
5. Jesus’ Rejection by His Children — and Us
Saints have said that Jesus’ greatest pain during the entire Passion was knowing that, despite His tremendous sacrifice, many souls would still turn away from Him. He experienced some of the cruelest, most vicious taunts from the very people whose hearts He had previously touched with His words and kindness. They screamed, they mocked, they spat, they poked and prodded and jeered, and they even tore chunks of hair and flesh from His beard. He suffered abject humiliation from the very people that He loved.
Even today, Jesus is wounded by us, His people, especially through spiritually lukewarm souls as we turn away from His tremendous love. Too often, we take for granted His fathomless mercy, which we recognize on Mercy Sunday. May our prayers and acts of mercy offer some small comfort to our suffering Savior.