The Sixth Station: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

“He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

-Luke 8:48

It’s tempting for us to remove the humanity from this station, to view it in terms of great marble statues and stained glass. But what Veronica did was neither clean nor simple. Here is a woman who quite literally pushes herself-her own body-into the heart of suffering and struggle, into a rowdy crowd that can hardly guarantee her safety. This is a woman who threw cultural norms and taboos aside and took action.

Veronica touched poverty in its rawest form. And for what? Jesus’ face was bruised and bloodied; a little cloth wasn’t going to change that. He was on his way to die anyway: Why waste the time and resources to touch him?

We, too, may be tempted to think like this when faced with the overwhelming challenge of global poverty, of human suffering. But we must never underestimate the value of simply being present to another human being, to one who shares in the sacredness and dignity of being made in the image and likeness of God.

The Catholic community in the United States has been present through Catholic Relief Services in war-torn countries like South Sudan, Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo. What does it mean to stick by a community for the long haul, continuing our commitment to be with those who suffer even when hope seems all but lost? Is this what Veronica did for Jesus? Is this what Jesus asks of us?