6 - Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

A tradition holds that Veronica wiped the face of Jesus: a face stained with blood and sweat.  Presumably she was moved by compassion to help however she could.  And what good does it do?  Does it lessen his ultimate suffering, does it prevent his death on the cross?  Obviously not, and yet it matters.

It matters because love and mercy matter more than simple logic.  For we are made in the image and likeness of God.  God who is love and compassion.  God who sacrifices Himself for our sakes.  God who freely offers us mercy we don't earn.

Veronica's 'reward' for her action, which was carried out in a way befitting someone made in the image of God, is to receive the image of God's face imprinted upon the cloth.

Unlike the cloth, we already bear his image, but like a film-photo it needs developing, bringing out.

Let's pray for the grace to become more like Jesus in the way we live out His gift of love and compassion.