One of the temptations as we grow older is the tendency to live in the past and recollect memories. As humans, we carry the wounds of past experiences—memories of hurt, regret, and failure that often shape how we see ourselves and the world around us.
Nobel laureate José Saramago, in his book Small Memories, recollects his childhood in a small village in Portugal. Some wounds from his early years remained with him, even as he wrote in his eightieth year, unable to be erased. He was denied a horse ride when he was a child. He shares that experience in a powerful metaphor:
“I’m still suffering from the effects of a fall from a horse I never rode. There are no outward signs, but my soul has been limping for the last 70 years.”
The wounds of a fall from a horse he never rode stayed with him forever. His soul bore the weight of an invisible struggle. Isn’t this true for many of us? We carry burdens of words spoken against us, the weight of guilt, missed opportunities, and past failures.
But Lent is a season that invites us to bring our wounds to Christ. Jesus himself carried wounds, not just the physical wounds of the cross, but the rejection, betrayal, and sorrow of human existence. Yet, through his suffering, he brought healing to the world.
Isaiah 53:5 reminds us:
“By His wounds, we are healed.”
Lent calls us not to dwell in the past but to place our brokenness at the foot of the cross. The wounds we carry may not disappear overnight, but they no longer define us in Christ. His grace is greater than our regrets, and his love is deeper than our pain.
Lent calls us not only to seek healing for our own wounds but also to reflect on how our words, actions, and attitudes may wound others. The experience of Saramago compels us to ask: Are we unknowingly causing pain to someone else? Do our words uplift, or do they leave invisible scars? Do our actions bring healing or harm? As we journey through Lent, may we let go of the burdens that keep our souls limping and trust in the healing power of Christ, who calls us forward into new life.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you know the wounds we carry—those seen and unseen. You also know the ways in which we may have hurt others, knowingly or unknowingly. As we walk through this Lenten season, help us to bring our burdens to you and to seek reconciliation where needed. Heal our hearts, guide our words, and shape us into people of grace. Amen