VERONICA WIPES JESUS’ FACE

This year as I looked fresh at the connection between station 5 and station 6, both seemed to be about care. Simon helps Jesus carry his cross, and then, Veronica reaches from the crowd to wipe Jesus face. Care is absolutely crucial to the human condition, the deepest expression of love. I thought that Veronica’s cloth would be covered in tears, sweat and blood, wiped from Jesus face. In the depths of life’s struggles we all reach out to care. I wanted the painting to be on cloth and the paint to reflect the drips of blood sweat and tears, and the orange colour on top to reflect the life given through acts of care. Tradition says Jesus face was imprinted on the cloth. I began to grasp that the mystery that is God is reflected in every act of care. A special thank you to the carers, is, I hope, reflected in this painting.