Her Name Means True Image…
The Latin phrase vera icon means “true image.”
Catholic tradition for Saint Veronica is based on the supposed meeting of a woman and Jesus as he struggles toward Golgotha. Bearing the cross, this woman – Veronica – met Jesus and wiped his face with a cloth – which then bore an imprint of Jesus’s image made of his sweat and blood.
Now, while Saint Veronica is known in the Catholic tradition, she is not biblically referenced in any of the four Gospels. So, no this may not be a meaning based off a true event, but nevertheless, I must admit that I love this origin story.
I love this image of a woman responding with compassion to Jesus’ turmoil, offering a simple act of the use of a cloth to wipe his face.
For several years I was a swim instructor, and without fail – whether it was a happy lesson or a 3-year old’s own version of torture – at the end of the lesson what they wanted to do most was wipe off their face. As mom or dad held out a towel to wrap up their little swimmer, on so many occasions I witnessed kids shoving their face in their towels, to wipe it clean.
Even though it was just water – it meant something, a signifying that they were a step closer to being finished with swim lessons and heading home.
If you work out, what’s a common and unconscious habit? To wipe your face when it’s sweaty. Why do we do this? Because wiping the sweat from your face provides you with comfort. It removes the sting of sweat dripping into your eyes.
When I was in Florida and went to the Walt Disney World Parks, you bet the heat and humidity made us sweat. And I found myself constantly wiping off my sweat mustache and dabbing my forehead. I’m a swimmer, we don’t sweat, it’s an incredibly uncomfortable feeling to me.
So, while the name Veronica may not be based off a true historical event, the actions of this woman portray a caring and compassionate soul who loved another.
Who was living out the image of who Jesus is, and how He called us to live.
Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Matthew 22:37-39
For the record here, I was not named after the Catholic Saint. Veronica. I was in fact named after Veronica Lodge from Archie Comics. Which, I’m rather happy about.
Names have meanings, and if you’re lucky sometimes you can live up to that meaning.
The title “Christian” was not a self-proclaimed title followers of Jesus dubbed themselves. As you read through scripture, take notice, New Testament believers never refer to themselves as Christian but use terms like brother, sister, disciple, saint. In fact, the term Christian doesn’t show up in the Bible until Acts 11 and is believed to be given as an insult to followers of Jesus by those in Antioch. One thing about society and culture that has stayed consistent over the years, is the need to round up folks into groups and identify them.
Those who publicly praised emperor Nero Augustus were called Augustinians.
Those who publicly spoke of and acted like Christ were called Christians.
Followers of Jesus in the early church walked in the way of Jesus, exemplifying who He is and His image, and it resulted in others taking notice. What was initially meant to hurt, God used it to bring glory to Him.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
In the anime, My Hero Academia, our main character Izuku lives in a world where every person has a quirk – allowing them a specific ability. Izuku, however, has no quirk and is singled out for this by the identifying nickname of Deku – simple translation “useless.”
Through the first season of the series, we follow Izuku as he grows, continues to chase his dreams to become a hero and *SPOILER* – gains a quirk of his own! When it’s time for the heroes to choose their hero names, Izuku chooses Deku.
Why? Why label yourself with a name that others meant to hurt you? Because what one meant for harm, another shared encouragement that the term Deku could also be inspiring and mean “you can do it.” (It’s not a perfect translation of the Japanese phrase, okay. Don’t come after me!)
Our hero took a name meant to insult and bully and turned it around to inspire and help others.
The term Christian has continued to identify followers of Jesus some 2000 years later. And yes, it may still be used as an insult. But to be Christian is to act like Jesus and bear His image, reflecting who He is and sharing the truth with the world.
When I first had the thought to write a blog, it was initially to be a practice of self-accountability.
I have always found peace in the process of writing and joy in creating a story. And over the last decade or so I have lost some of this discipline to write. And while my writing can often be an emotional response to whatever is happening in my life; I also wanted to have a focus of leaning into Jesus more. Of diving deeper into scriptures and how we bring scripture into everyday moments.
That’s when I fell in love with the meaning of my own name. I promise, I am not a self-focused person in love with herself – this is not The Image I Am blog but The Image She Bears – the image of Jesus.
The greatest compliment someone could give me, is that I exemplify Jesus to them. I take the title of image bearer seriously. So, this blog is an accountability to myself to not only write, but to make sure that I am living as a pleasing reflection of Jesus.
Thanks for reading, and I pray you will join me and find God speaking into your own heart and seeing your relationship with Him reflected in all you do.
Blessings,
Veronica
