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Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

Written by on April 1, 2012 - 1 Comment

If you asked me to choose my “favorite” station of the Cross, it would be the 6th station: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus.  For many years I’ve been drawn to this station because I see in this scene what actually happens to us when we meditate on the life of Jesus.

The name Veronica means “true image.”  Tradition tells us that this faithful woman approached Christ in compassion and tenderly wiped the blood, sweat, and tears from His face as He carried the Cross to Calvary.  In return, He left the image of his beautiful face upon her veil.

Veronica’s veil is symbolic of our interior life.  As we meditate on the mysteries of Christ’s life, His image is perfected in us.  The more we contemplate Jesus, the more we become like Him.

During this Holy Week, may each of us commit to spending extra time with Jesus.  If we do, He will give to us what He gave to Veronica: the stain of sin will be washed away, and His image will be perfected in us.

A blessed Holy Week to each of you!

Stop Judging Yourself

Written by on January 13, 2012 - 6 Comments

Sometimes I get frustrated with myself.  I get impatient with my imperfections.  I get upset at how I can be so focused on the Lord and spiritual living for an extended period of time and then, it seems, in an instant I can slide back into old habits.

So often I take two steps forward and three steps back.  I frequently think of St. Paul’s words: “What I do, I do not understand. For I do not do what I want, but I do what I hate” (Romans 7:15).

But a couple of weeks ago I was sitting in quiet prayer and the Lord spoke to my heart: “Stop judging yourself and live.”

Interesting, I thought.  I wrote those words in my journal, but I didn’t completely understand them…until I recently had one of my two-steps-foward-three-steps-back moments. Read more »

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