When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."  After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.  Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."

We come closest to understanding the unfathomable mystery of infinite love when we realize that Jesus, in his glorified, supernatural body, still bears the marks of his crucifixion.  They are signs of glory now, not defeat.  Above all he wants us to see them; they are the proof of his love.  "See and believe what I have done for you, how great is the love I have for you!" he seems to say.  Try to meditate on the access to the Trinity he has given us.  The wound in his side is the gate of life, open to all who believe what he has done for us.  Enter in.

Once we see and believe, and receive the precious gift of peace, we are sent out by Christ, just as he was sent by the Father.  Sent out beyond the locked door of our heart, out of the room of fear and uncertainty in which we hide.  Out with full confidence to be salt among our brothers and sisters, whatever the circumstances of our daily life.  And the injuries we receive out of love are only a small participation in those wounds we see on Christ.  They are not for our glorification but for the spread of the kingdom of love.