The Sixth Station, Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

A Merciful Sacrifice

A face marred by sorrow, streaked with blood,
Dust clinging to sweat like the weight of sin.
The crowd roars, the soldiers press forward,
And yet, she steps in.

A single cloth, a trembling hand,
No power, no might, no grand display,
Just the courage to kneel before suffering,
To wipe the pain away.

And in that moment, Heaven imprints
Upon linen, upon love, upon a heart made bold.
A silent exchange, a sacred mercy,
A face of agony, a face of gold.

O Christ, bruised and burdened,
Did her kindness ease the sting?
Did her touch remind You of the love
For which You bore everything?

Would I have stepped forward? Would I have dared?
Or would I have watched, afraid and distant,
Too afraid to act?

Lord, let me be Veronica the world turns away.
Let me see Your face in the suffering
And love You there, today.

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Let us pray:

On Your way to Calvary, You met a woman whose heart was unafraid.
She did not flinch at the sight of Your suffering.
She simply loved You with her hands,
with the cloth she offered, and the mercy she showed.

Teach me, O Lord, to see Your face
in those who are wounded, forgotten, and cast aside.
Give me the courage of Veronica.

May I not turn away nor hesitate,
But may I, like Veronica, kneel before You,
wherever You are found. Amen.