Rejection, betrayal, and abandonment

The three injuries that wound the spirit are rejection, betrayal, and abandonment. These cannot be healed by any psychological methods; they are wounds in the essence of our being. 

Neither can their debilitating effects be mitigated by favorable circumstances in our lives, even if we recognize these favors as coming from divine providence. As salutary as these blessings and consolations may be, they do not penetrate the depths of our souls where the wounds lay. These wounds bring unexpected waves of grief and sorrow, even in the midst of blessing.

Only frequent and sober reflection on the goodness of God in Christ crucified can bring healing. Entering into the rejection, betrayal, and abandonment of Christ touches where no psychological or circumstantial benefits can; submersion into His undeserved wounds alone can heal. 

In the Redeemer's wounds we find not the soothing of our broken hearts, but the validation of both our existence and our suffering. He wills us, both to live and to suffer, not as tormenting punishment, but as the only way of escaping the corruption of sin in our souls. If there were another way, how immediately would this loving Savior apply it to us!

Jesus Christ crucified is the ultimate message of love, and only divine charity can heal the wounds caused by rejection, betrayal, and abandonment. This is a profound mystery inaccessible to our intellects unaided by supernatural grace. Yet with even a minimum of faith in our blessed Lord's sacrifice on our behalf, heaven is opened and the grace of God's unfathomable love for us is poured upon us.

"He came to His own, and His own received Him not (St. John 1,11); His own disciple betrayed Him; on the cross He cried out, "My God, my God - why have You abandoned me?" This innocent Victim suffered for US; His wounds were propitiatory, substituting for the condemnation our sins and misdeeds rightly deserved. He alone felt the depths of grief, sorrow, agony, torments, loneliness, and fear that is ours. He alone can touch the deepest recesses of our spirit. Even if all else in our lives failed, this divine touch can heal us inwardly and equip us to face everything that life can throw at us, including the final crisis of death.

No, the love we need to address the wounds of rejection, betrayal, and abandonment will not be found in favorable circumstances, renewed thinking or happy times. It is only to be found on Golgotha's bloody mountain, where in the mystery of God's love for us all is justified, sanctified, and healed.

O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the living God be merciful to me, a sinner.