The Fifth Station

Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.

Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

You are weak and wearied. Strangers and loved ones watch You struggle forward. The soldiers also watch intently. They see Your condition and worry that You might not live to reach the place of crucifixion. In the midst of the chaos, they grab a man from the crowd and thrust Your Cross upon his shoulder. In a matter of moments, Simon is forced from spectator to servant.

Whoever serves me must follow me,

and where I am, there also will my

servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.

John 12:26

With this servant at Your side, the journey continues.

This man beside me bears the weight for a time. Father, bless him in his service. While he did not willing choose this, he willingly accepted it. For a time, we share this Cross and together we are stronger.

We pray. Father, like Simon, we are often spectators to life. We see great need around us. We feel for those who are hungry, persecuted, lonely, and suffering. But are we just observers? Do we bow our heads and watch with sympathy, or do we force ourselves into action? It is not always an easy first step. Having good intentions is not enough. Help us Lord, to step from the safety of the crowd and willingly carry another's Cross for a time.

Amen.

Simon didn't choose his fate that day. Likewise, many times we do not choose those God puts in our path or the situations in which we meet them. But we do have a choice in the way we act, interact, and react with them. Will you open yourself to the people God puts in your life--those in need and those that need you? Will you treat every moment as if it could change someone's world?

[excerpt from Stations of the Cross by Denise Hemrich-Skomer and Fr. Joachim Tyrtania. ©2009. Nihil Obstat: Charles McNamee, J.C.L. Censor Librorum. Imprimatur: Thomas G. Doran, D.D., J.C.D, Bishop of Rockford]