Sixth Station - Veronica wipes Jesus’ face

As I walk along this road of suffering, 
I see the mistreated and wounded face of Jesus.
But I see also the faces of the women, my sisters,
Who have endured the same pain and shame.

Their faces, like that of Jesus, are streaked with tears,
Their eyes, like His, are filled with a deep sadness.
They have been exploited, abused, torn apart,
The stand there, accused, defiled, naked, ashamed, betrayed and cast out,
Their bodies, like His, are torn and hurt.
But despite all their suffering, they still stretch out their hands, 
Like Veronica, to console those who suffer.
They dry the tears of those who weep,
And lend an attentive ear to those who are broken.

In the midst of their own trauma, they find the strength
To care for others, to console and heal.
They are the Veronicas of our time,
Wiping the tears of those who suffer and thereby revealing the face of God.

Prayer:

Let us take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary strength of these women, our sisters, who even with their own suffering, find the strength to hold out their hands and console others.

Dear Lord, we pray for our suffering sisters who know your love and consolation. May their example inspire us to stretch out our hand to those who are in pain, and to wipe their tears. Amen.