Tradition tells us of a woman named Veronica who steps out of the crowd when Jesus is being led to his death, and wipes his face with a cloth.
Miraculously, on the cloth an image of the face of Jesus appears. The name ‘Veronica’ could well be from the Latin/Greek combination of ‘Vera Icon’ = true image.
We know of no details about the life of Veronica.
Quote
Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you; or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome; naked and clothe you; ·sick or in prison and go to see you?’ And the King will answer, ‘I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.”
Matthew 25:37-40
Today’s Scripture
Luke 23: New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised
26 As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27
A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. 28
But Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29
For the days are surely coming when they will say, “Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.” 30
Then they will begin to say to the mountains, “Fall on us”; and to the hills, “Cover us.” 31
For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?’
Suggestion for Prayer
Imagine yourself in the crowd around Jesus, with the soldiers,
the onlookers, the mourners, the scoffers – what’s it like to be there? –
and, moving towards Jesus, see his face, look into his eyes,
stretch out your hands and hold his face.
What is it that his eyes say to you?
What do you want to say to him?
How does he respond?
Perhaps there are words and perhaps words are not necessary.
Stay with Jesus.
Thought for the Day
Who in your life reveals to you a true image of God? In what ways?
Music
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