Lourdes Lower Station 06

We are almost at the halfway point, and we have now seen three acts of kindness. Mary his mother making contact to support Jesus after that fall with the heavy wooden cross.

Simon who is willing to help bear the burden with Jesus to assist in carrying the cross.

And now we see Veronica stepping forward in Lourdes Lower Station 06 of the cross to wipe Jesus’ face with her scarf. Her act of compassion is a good example to contemplate and meditate on.

Every day we are presented with a chance to act with compassion for someone else. Is your heart open to be able to see when such a time is presented for you to act?

Internally as I contemplate this scene I am changing, growing deeper into my spiritual understanding of the lessons Jesus is still teaching even while he is suffering. My Lord I pray for you to continue to open my eyes wider as I continue following you.

Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

Lourdes Lower Station 06 - The Prairie Station

V. We adore Thee, O Christ,
and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy Cross,
thou hast redeemed the world.

This woman moves through crowd to help Jesus by wiping His face.
What a beautiful act of compassion and courage. Was she not afraid of the Soldiers? Her focus on Jesus takes away all the other evil acts around her, to just love Him.

Prayer

My Jesus, thy face was beautiful before; but wounds and blood have disfigured it. My soul was also once beautiful; but my sins have disfigured it. Restore it, my Redeemer, to its former beauty. The Way of the Cross of Saint Alphonsus Liquori

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

v. Have Mercy upon us O Lord.
r. Have Mercy on us.

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

My Personal Prayer
Lord let me have just a little bit of Veronica's courage and compassion. Let me do for someone else as she has done for you. Amen

Acts of Compassion

Jesus' ministry was marked by acts of compassion. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, forgave sins, and reached out to those who were often excluded by society.

True compassion requires a transformation of the heart. It involves seeing others through the eyes of Christ, recognizing their inherent dignity and worth. This transformation is fostered through prayer, reflection, and a willingness to be open to the needs of others. It calls for humility, empathy, and a commitment to putting the needs of others before our own.

I can only accomplish any of these things successfully with the help of Jesus. Every day I look for a way to transform my heart and today I discovered that as I write this website seeing deeper and beyond the meanings transforms my heart.

How do you practice compassion in your daily life?
Are there barriers that prevent you from showing compassion to certain people or in certain situations? How can you overcome these barriers?
What are some specific actions you can take to embody the works of mercy in your community?
How can you cultivate a heart of compassion through your spiritual practices?

Ponder as Mary Pondered

As I sit and contemplate this station, I want to be Veronica. Just have a moment to comfort my Lord in His hour of need. Veronica had courage to bypass the soldiers to be near Our Lord. What is Jesus' teaching here, for me to see and learn. Compassion for another? But I also notice that I can't hear the jeers and the mocking of the crowd. Why? Because when I keep my eyes on the Lord the world and its distractions disappear for that moment.

According to tradition, as Jesus struggled under the weight of the cross, His face marred by sweat, blood, and dirt, Veronica approached Him with a cloth. She offered this cloth to Jesus, who gratefully accepted it and used it to wipe His face. When He handed the cloth back to her, His image was imprinted on it, leaving a lasting testament to His suffering and her compassion.

The Imprint of Christ

The miraculous imprint of Jesus' face on Veronica's veil symbolizes the transformative power of compassion. Just as Veronica's cloth bore the image of Christ, acts of kindness leave an indelible mark on the world. This imprint serves as a reminder that true compassion reflects the face of Christ and brings His presence into the world.

Transform your Heart

Here I pretend I am standing here with Veronica at the Lourdes Lower Station 06 of the Cross. I turn to Veronica, and I ask her how can we help our Lord? She replies that is an easy question, Love, Love Him. Being here alone contemplating and meditating on Jesus' passion is reparation for His wounds. You can't stop your heart from being transformed by our Lord when you put the time in and be quiet and wait for the question to come and hear it being answered internally.