Pope Francis: The Lord’s Passion And Via Crucis SIXTH STATION WHY WAS NOT THIS OINTMENT SOLD FOR THREE HUNDRED PENCE, AND GIVEN TO THE POOR

SIXTH STATION
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
Women Disciples

Adoramus…

From the Gospel according to Luke

“[Jesus] went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.[29]

JESUS’ THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS

There are many women in the crowd. Kindness inspires one of them to come and wipe my face. This makes me think of so many other encounters. One was just a week ago. I went to dinner in Bethany, as the guest of my friends Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Mary anointed by feet with perfume made of pure nard. I said, to her surprise, that she should keep it for my burial.[30]

I can also remember sitting beside the well in Sychar. I was tired and thirsty. A Samaritan woman then came by, carrying a water jar. I asked her for water. I spoke to her about water which springs up to eternal life. She seemed to be waiting for this gift, to open her heart. She wanted to tell me everything about herself. I saw her, in amazement, delving into her conscience. And she returned home speaking of me and saying: “Could he be the Messiah?”.[31]

OUR RESONANCE

Jesus, this evening, in our midst, there is a significant presence of women. In the Gospel women have an important place. They looked after you and the apostles. Some of them were present at your passion. And they would be the first to bring the news of your resurrection.

The feminine genius impels us to a faith full of love for you.[32] All the saints teach us this. We want to follow in their footsteps.

LET US PRAY

The gift of spiritual motherhood

Lord Jesus, the proclamation of the faith in the world and the progress of Christian communities are largely sustained by women. Protect them as witnesses to that happiness born of an encounter with you, a happiness which is the mysterious secret behind their lives. Protect them as a radiant sign of motherhood at the side of the little ones, who, in their hearts, become the greatest.

All: Pater noster… Stabat Mater

[29] Lk 8:1-3.
[30] Cf. Jn 12:1-7.
[31] Jn 4:29.
[32] Cf. J. RATZINGER, La donna, custode dell’essere umano. Introduzione alla Lettera apostolica Mulieris Dignitatem, Giornale di Teologia, 195, Brescia, 1990, 16-17.