Today we are up to Part 2 of my SIX Inspired treatment of the women of Holy Week. This is an exploration of who these women were or might have been (since so many women in the bible do not get fully developed backstories) outside of there brief encounters with Jesus.
Today is Veronica.
You know me as the woman with the cloth
The cloth that captures the image of Jesus's face
But I dare say I'm more than a piece of cloth
I am more than one brief moment with Jesus
I am a woman, I am a saint, I am worthy
Did you ever wonder why I was the one moved
Moved to let Jesus wipe his brow with my cloth?
It is because I knew suffering and exclusion
It is because I knew not being seen for who I am
I am a woman, I am a saint, I am worthy
In truth I was not always known as Victoria
My family knew me as Victor but that was not
Who I was, Who I was, Who I was deep down
That was not who I was deep down inside
I am a woman, I am a saint, I am worthy
So I moved to Jerusalem and become Victoria
There were so many people in the big city I was
Able to find my own way as my true self Victoria
I was able to get lost in the big city and be myself
I am a woman, I am a saint, I am worthy
When Jesus first arrived he was the talk of the town
There were even rumors that the stones themselves
Were singing out with his praise, singing out with praise
We were all aware that he was here in the big city
I am a woman, I am a saint, I am worthy
That final week I was busy with my own life
Earning just enough to have my daily bread
But I still heard rumors of temple tables flying
But I still heard rumors of betrayal, hate, and fear
I am a woman, I am a saint, I am worthy
I was there when Jesus was walking to the cross
And our eyes met for just a moment and I saw
Saw that this Jesus understood who I was inside
Understood the challenges of being free to be Victoria
I am a woman, I am a saint, I am worthy
I offered up my cloth because I saw the sorrow
The sorrow in the eyes of Jesus as he walked to the cross
I knew that he understood me and in turn I understood him
And in return I got his face imprinted on my cloth
I am a woman, I am a saint, I am worthy