Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his Cross
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
As Jesus continued his way to crucifixion, he was struggling under the heavy weight. So the guards pressed into service a certain passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, father of Alexander and Rufus, who was coming in from the country, to help Jesus carry his cross. (Mk 15: 21)
With a loud voice I cry out to the Lord; with a loud voice I beseech the Lord. My complaint I pour out to him; before him I lay bare my distress. When my spirit faints within me, You know my path. In the way along which I walk they have hid a trap for me. I look to the right to see, but there is no one who pays me heed. I have lost all means of escape; there is no one who cares for my life. (Ps. 141: 2 – 5)
Let us pray. Lord Jesus, help us to see in the suffering and shortcomings of our lives a share in Your Cross; strengthen and console us in the belief that we bear all things in union with You, who have taken upon Yourself even our guilt. Empower us to carry the burdens of others and lighten their journey in heavy and painful times. Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
Amen.
Processional Song:
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they nailed him to a tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to a tree?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when they nailed him to a tree?
Stations of the Cross Images courtesy of carmelites.net
Lord Jesus, was Simon forced to help You carry Your cross? There are times when I need to be forced to help others, to be compassionate, not to think only of my own “crosses” my own troubles, my own way. When You reached Calvary, was Simon relieved to be done with this obligation of helping You or was there a moment, when he wished he could have done more? Could have encouraged You more than he did? Lord help me to be there for others who are struggling with their crosses. Lord Jesus let me be Your Hands today. Amen
That is so pure, honest, BEAUTIFUL…Thank you. Amen Jesus. Amen.
Simon was forced to carry Jesus`cross, but the reward must have been great. Lord help me to welcome the stranger, as Jesus would have welcomed Simon. Often a refugee in unwanted in a strange country.
Oh my Lord, You know well how much I want to serve You. And You know I can’t be Your hands or Your feet because my health is so poor. But I can be Your heart and love all Your souls in the vineyards of the world You’ve entrusted to my prayers. I love them so dearly. By Your grace permit me to be their Simon through my prayers. May I help them in time of their temptation, lighten the weight of their cross when it is so heavy and help them up from the dust if they fall beneath its weight.