I wonder where I’ll find Veronica next? I’m always looking for more stories about the connections Jesus might have had with women. There’s an account about a woman named Veronica in the apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus in a section called the Acts of Pilate. According to the Acts of Pilate Veronica is the same woman Jesus healed of a flow of blood in Luke 8.
I first saw Veronica’s name when I visited the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem. The Via Dolorosa is said to be the path Jesus walked with his cross. The story goes that at one point a woman named Veronica used her veil to wipe the sweat from Jesus’ face as he walked by her. I photographed this stone marker bearing Veronica’s name. I was intrigued and wanted to learn more about Veronica.
When I visited The Church of the Beatitudes on the Sea of Galilee near Capernaum I saw a beautiful wood carving of Veronica. Part of Veronica’s story is that after she wiped Jesus’ face with her veil the image of his face was left in the veil and that is clearly shown in the carving. 
It was a couple of years later when I came across another rendition of the Veronica story when I saw this painting of Veronica in the Stadel Art Museum in Frankfurt, Germany. It was done by Robert Campin a Flemish artist who lived from 1375-1444.
My last night in Costa Rica I walked into the Church of the Immaculate Conception of Mary in Liberia and as I made my way around the sanctuary looking at each of the Stations of the Cross I found Veronica again. 
Veronica was compassionate but she was also brave. Jesus was about to be crucified and to be identified as a supporter of his was dangerous, dangerous enough that one of his disciples denied even knowing him. But Veronica doesn’t worry about her own safety she is just concerned about doing something kind for Jesus. I wonder where I’ll find Veronica next?
Other posts……..
We stayed at a charming old world hotel in the heart of Liberia our last night in Costa Rica. We hadn’t realized our visit would be during Liberia’s Fiestas Civicas which takes place every year during the last week of February and the first week of March. Since Liberia is in Guanacaste province where ranching and cattle raising is an important economic activity Liberia celebrates with daily horse parades. The day we were there the parade featured children. 
Hundreds of little kids rode on horses, most with their parents walking alongside them for safety and support. Many were dressed up in beautiful clothes. Some looked to be as little as one or two years old. 
Our hotel was located right on the city square which was filled with people and vendors and a stage where musicians began entertaining around the dinner hour. And the music continued till midnight! Since our hotel wasn’t air conditioned screened windows high up near the ceiling let in a cool breeze but they also let in the music from the square. Needless to say sleep was impossible. Thankfully at midnight the music stopped. 
But at 5 am. the music started again. I found out later this parade is called “La Diana”and features drunken people dancing on the street after partying all night. The one upside of the 5 am. parade? We didn’t need the wake up call we’d arranged for so we could catch a 6 am taxi to the airport. 
It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change. Charles Darwin
That’s probably why Joy is Like the Rain is the first hymn suggested during the singing session prior to our contemplation. People simply call out a song title and we sing. Tis a Gift to Be Simple, Kumbayah, The Prayer of St. Francis, Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah and Everyone Neath Their Vine and Fig Tree. All are familiar tunes I’ve sung many times in my own Mennonite faith community.
And then I try to empty my mind, like I’ve read one should do when you meditate. I try to concentrate on my breath and the wind, the rustling of the leaves, the creaking of the tree branches.
What Next? 