On the Feast of the Glorious Wounds of Jesus Christ, which the Passionists celebrate in the Easter Season, St. Bonaventure looks to the flowers of the field,  brightening the world in spring, to describe the love of Jesus in his Passion. Each wound in his hands, his feet and his side is a red rose revealing God’s love for us. It is an ardent and intense love. 

Jesus is the flower of heaven which, once closed by the chilling night of Adam’s sin,  opens like a rose in the rising sun of God’ great mercy. 

“This flower of heaven, warmed by the rays of ardent love,  opens wounds in every part of his body…  See his entire body: Is there a place where the rose is not found?  See one hand, then the other; see one foot, then the other.  Can you not see the rose? See the wound in his side, for the rose is there too,  although it is of a paler red because of the admixture of water, for there came out blood and water.  Yes, this is he who came  in water and in blood, Christ Jesus all-good.

Lord and Savior of all, good Jesus, how can I thank  you,  who from the dawn of your life to your cruel death yes, even after it, have shed so much of your blood for me?  How can I thank you who revealed a surpassing love by shedding  your blood? How full this rose with its many petals! Who can count them all?

The first reading at Mass for this feast looks into heaven where the heavenly hosts praise the Lamb who was slain: “With your blood you purchased for God men of every race and tongue, of every people and nation. You made of the a kingdom and priests to serve our God and they shall reign on the earth.” ( Revelations 5:5-12)

John’s Gospel recalls the night Jesus revealed his wounds to Thomas, who refused to believe. “My Lord and my God,” the disciple said, worshipping him. (John 20:24-29)

“You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.” Our responsory psalm says.