GOOD FRIDAY: BECOMING SIMON OF CYRENE
Perhaps like most people, I follow the Stations of the Cross, the Via Crucis, principally in Lent. I’ve always loved them, especially having lived each one of them on hallowed ground on my pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Walking in the footsteps of Christ. Standing where he was crucified. Praying at his tomb.
In the Stations, we live the last day of Jesus’ earthly life, following His every step, His every fall, His blood-stained face wiped by a woman named Veronica, standing with His Mother as she experiences her own excruciating pain. We see Mary of Magdala, the apostles, His followers who see his indescribable suffering – and yet can do nothing! They did not fully know – but we do! – that Jesus’ suffering and death is to redeem mankind and that he will rise, defeating death. The Easter miracle!
The station that always struck me was the 5th station.
That’s when the soldiers pick a man out of the crowd, Simon of Cyrene, to help Jesus carry his Cross. It seems they were afraid that Jesus, weak from blood loss from being scourged, crowned with thorns and falling down under the cross would not make it to Golgotha where he was to be crucified. That could be embarrassing for the Roman soldiers.
A book I use when saying the rosary has this reflection for the 4th Sorrowful Mystery, Jesus carries His Cross: “Sometimes it seems our cross is unbearable and we panic, thinking we will never be able to complete the course . This mystery teaches us that God will never allow us to be tested beyond our ability to endure. He will always make a way. As Jesus fell under the agonizing weight of the cross, His father sent Simon of Cyrene to help him carry it.”
Simon could see Jesus needed help and, even though he hadn’t volunteered, he stayed with Jesus. This makes me think: Do I see, do I sense, when others need help but do not ask for it? Do I go to them – no soldiers forcing me to help a fellow human being – no matter what, no excuses made?
I have had many Simons of Cyrene in my life. How many times have I been a Simon of Cyrene to people, helped them carry their cross?
Joan's Rome 