EIGHTH STATION
Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus to Carry the Cross
V.Adoramus
te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R.Quia
per sanctam crucem tuam redemisti mundum.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
From the Gospel according to Mk 15,21
They compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.
MEDITATION
A man from the countryside came to Jerusalem on business. A strange procession blocked his way. In a narrow and crowded street soldiers, weeping women, a few fanatics with eyes full of hate and a man condemned, with no more strength to bear the wood of shame upon his shoulders. The soldiers look for someone to bear this weight for him. This is not out of any sense of pity: they must keep to the scheduled time of execution. They choose the first person they happen upon, because he seems fit enough. A man from the countryside came to Jerusalem on business. There he truly earned something: five minutes in the history of salvation, a mention in the Gospel. At no cost to himself, he learned the weight of the cross. The mystery is revealed. The cross is too heavy for God made man. Jesus needs a hand. People need solidarity. We have been told: "Bear one another's burdens" (Gal 6,2). Solidarity.
PRAYER
Lord, you said:
"If any man would come after me,
let him deny himself
and take up his cross
and follow me" (Mk 8,34).
How can I do that?
Teach me how,
and by your grace
overcome in me
the fear of others' hate,
the fear of suffering,
the fear of a lonely death,
the fear of fear.
Lord, have mercy on my weakness.
To you, Jesus,
crushed by fatigue,
your face marked by exhaustion,
to you our love, full of solidarity and thanksgiving,
with the Father and the Spirit,
with whom you are perfectly one,
in time that passes and in unchanging eternity.
R.Amen.
All:
Pater noster, qui es in cælis:
sanctificetur nomen tuum;
adveniat regnum tuum;
fiat voluntas tua, sicut in cælo, et in terra.
Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie;
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris;
et ne nos inducas in tentationem;
sed libera nos a malo.
Tui Nati
vulnerati,
tam dignati pro me pati
pœnas mecum divide.
For
the sins of his own nation,
Saw him hang in desolation,
Till his spirit forth he sent.