As Veronica is separated from Him, Jesus feels again the searing pain, the solitude, the humiliation. He prays quietly to the Father and struggles to move on. He tries to numb himself to just keep moving, to avoid more lashes from the soldiers or mocking cheers from the crowds, to avoid the pebbles on the roadway that were biting into His feet.
Not able to, He once more stumbles to the ground. He struggles to His feet and taking a deep breath, He moves on.
Prayer
Lord, you shared our human condition. You felt the limitations of the body; hunger, thirst, heat, cold, tiredness, pain. You stumbled as we stumble, fell as we fall. Guide us to turn to You in faith when our burdens grow heavy.
Mary, my Mother, you were the first to live the way of the cross. Obtain for me the grace to understand the mystery, wisdom and love of the cross. Teach me the lessons it contains. Grant for me the grace to see Your Son in all.
Almighty and ever-living God, in Your love for us, You sent Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our nature giving us the example of His great humility; Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of His suffering, and share in His resurrection; who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Holy Mighty One,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy on us.
VIII
