A week ago on Good Friday The Way of the Cross was celebrated at the Colosseum in Rome. Pope Francis was not able to attend but he had written the text of the14 Stations that were used. This was just three days before he died. Today, the day of the Pope’s Funeral, I find the Sixth Station, Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus, to be most fitting. The Pope contemplates the face of Jesus in a unique and special way. The Pope speaks of seeing Jesus face to face, in an eternal dialogue, and in a joyful intimacy. A week later, these words of Pope Francis have become a reality for him.

The Sixth Station

Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

From the Gospel according to Luke (9:29-31)

While he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him.  They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

From Psalm 27

“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, do I seek. Do not hide your face from me.

Contemplating your face, Jesus, we see into your heart. In your eyes, we see your determination; it is etched into your face, which manifests your clear resolve. You see Veronica, as you do me.

I too see your face, which tells of your decision to love us to your last breath and even beyond, for love is strong as death (cf. Song 8:6). Our hearts are changed by the sight of your face, which I long to contemplate and cherish. You deliver yourself into our hands, day by day, in the face of every man and woman we meet, a living reminder of your Incarnation.

Whenever we turn to the least of our brothers and sisters, we see you, your flesh and your presence among us. In this way, you brighten our hearts and our facial expressions. Instead of rejecting others, we now accept them.

On the way of the cross, our faces, like yours, can at last become radiant and a source of blessing. You have impressed the memory of your face in our hearts as a pledge of your return, when you will recognize each of us at first glance.

Then, perhaps, we will come to be like you. Then we shall be — face to face, in eternal dialogue, in joyful intimacy — the family of God.

Let us pray, saying: Jesus, impress your memory upon us!

Please pray this short litany several times today. And do remember Pope Francis in your prayers.

GOD IS ALWAYS WITH YOU….YOU JUST NEED TO PAY ATTENTION!

Please share these words of Pope Francis with others.