While this is a station in the traditional stations of the cross, this scene is not found in the book of John, nor anywhere else in scripture. It is however helpful for the journey.
According to legend in the Christian tradition, Veronica witnessed Jesus struggling with the weight of the cross as he carried it to his crucifixion. She went to him and wiped his face that was streaked with blood, sweat and dirt to remove the marks of suffering and reveal the beauty of his face. In that moment, Jesus knew that someone noticed him and cared for him. Despite all the mocking and the yelling from the soldiers pushing him along, Veronica acted in resistance and compassion and he knew that he was loved.
This sign on the building across from you is a sign of resistance and compassion for you. As you go along on this journey and the weight you feel that humanity could let this happen to someone God so loved the world to give to us, to someone who only used his hands to heal, not to hurt…is just heart-wrenching. This is a moment to say, pick your head up, you are still beautiful. You may be wounded, but you can still do great things. If someone created that sign for you to see as you manage through this world, it means someone loves you and cares for you. And how much more God loves and cares for you. God persists through all of this to tell you that you are beautiful, created in my image. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. If God can do all these things for the love of others, so can you.
Treat yourself: If it’s open, go inside Taylor’s and take a break and have a hamburger. Say hello to Darlene behind the cash register and tell her thank you for letting us have a station in her parking lot.
Directions from Taylor’s Drive-In to Park Central Square
Driving Directions to Parking Lot
Exit the parking lot to the South Turn RIGHT and continue on E Trafficway St towards N Boonville Ave (0.3 miles). [Will change to E Water St at N Jefferson Ave]
Turn LEFT on N Booneville Ave
Turn immediately RIGHT into the N Boonville Ave parking lot and park
Walking Directions to Park Central Square
Walk South along N Boonville Ave 1 block to get to Park Central Square
Cross the street to the Pavilion on the northwest corner of Park Central Square.