CHRIST'S WOUNDS ARE MEANT TO REWARD AND TO CONVICT

Ordinarily, a glorified body becomes perfect and so all deformities are taken away. This includes scars. It is narrated that when Fr. Pio died, his stigmata pealed off like dry skin.

But in the case of Christ, He chose to keep the scars of His wounds. His purpose? So that it can be the source of salvation to those who follow Him with a life of self-denial, taking up His cross and following Him.

But for those of us who refuse to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Christ, those wounds, when shown us, will convict us. 

(updated 08-23-02)