Life-Giving Wounds provides a roadmap for healing

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states in paragraph 2207, “The family is the original cell of social life… Family life is an initiation into life in society.” It is in the family that children learn morality, how to honor God, and what their freedom is for. It is the stable foundation of all of society. 

Despite its critical importance for the well-being of its members, the erosion of stable family life has been ongoing for some time. Less than half of all children today grow up in households with consistently married parents. While this circumstance is cause of great concern, it is not a cause for despair. There is great hope for those who have come from a divorced or separated home in this month’s book, Life-Giving Wounds: A Catholic Guide to Healing for Adult Children of Divorce and Separation by Dr. Daniel and Bethany Meola. 

This book, along with the apostolate by the same name, is an essential resource for any who have come from a divorced or separated home, for those who accompany them, and for those in pastoral or church ministries. With this book, the reader embarks on a reflection of the experience of woundedness in seven unique areas resulting from a broken family—the wound of silence; the wound to faith; the wound of a broken identity; the wound of a damaged vision of marriage; the wounds of anxiety, anger, and sin; the wound of unforgiveness; and the wound of unhealthy family dynamics. Each wound is a unique facet that has the potential to affect and shape how a person approaches relationships, trust, their core identity, personal emotional command, and forgiveness. By understanding the impact these wounds have on a person, they can begin mapping out a path forward to move from brokenness to wholeness in their lives. 

As important as understanding a wound is in the healing journey, it is not enough in of itself to bring about healing. A remedy must be applied for each type of wound. After exploring a specific type of wound, the authors provide the balm which can bring about life-giving healing. The wound of silence is met with a vision for Christian grieving. The wound to faith is met with the gift of faith. The wound of a broken identity is met by reestablishing a fundamental identity in Christ. The wound of a damaged vision of marriage is countered by rediscovering true discernment and love. The wounds of anxiety, anger, and sin are resolved through virtue, hope, and meekness. The wound of unforgiveness is healed through Christ-like forgiveness. The wound of unhealthy family dynamics is navigated by the honoring of parents and the establishing of healthy boundaries. 

Suffering is one of the great mysteries of our Christian Faith. Suffering cannot be fully explained in this life. However, rather than being meaningless, suffering infused by the gifts of faith, hope, and love can become an occasion of greater intimacy with Jesus Christ. In a paradoxical way, suffering can even become a cause for joy. 

By his Incarnation, Jesus took upon our human condition, lived a human life, and suffered all things but sin. In this way, Jesus intimately knows in his very person what the depth of our human need is. Yet, because he remains divine, he is not left in the power of our frail state but has dominion over it. In the depths of divine wisdom and love, God chose to walk the path of suffering so that we can meet him in our own suffering.  

Whether it is the experience of divorce, the loss of a loved one, or any traumatic experience in life, we can know with great certainty that we will encounter God intimately in and through those experiences. Such an intimate union with God draws us into the very wounds of Christ himself where we receive great consolation and echo alongside St. Peter, “By his wounds we are healed” (1 Peter 2:24). Life-Giving Wounds masterfully and simply provides a road map for healing, that if prayerfully followed, can help the reader find healing and restoration for some of life’s deepest wounds.