Pope Francis: The Lord’s Passion And Via Crucis: FIFTH STATION: WATCH US STRIVING TO CULTIVATE ALL THAT IS BEAUTIFUL, JUST ,TRUE, AND ESSENTIAL IN THE SPIRIT OF VATICAN II


FIFTH STATION
The Cyrenean helps Jesus carry his cross
Returning from the fields

Adoramus…

From the Gospel according to Luke

“As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus”.[24]

JESUS’ THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS

All around me I hear shouting. They have forcibly laid hold of a labourer who was passing by, perhaps by chance. Without much explanation they force him to shoulder my burden. I feel relieved. They tell him to walk behind me. Together we will go to the place of execution.

More than once, when proclaiming God’s kingdom, I had said: “Whoever does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple”.[25] But now this man is carrying my cross. Perhaps he doesn’t even know who I am, yet he is helping me and following me all the same.

OUR RESONANCE IN PRAISE OF SIMON

“Blessed too are you, Simon, who in your lifetime carried the cross behind our King. Those who carry the insignia of kings are proud, but kings will disappear with their insignia. Blessed are your hands, which lifted and bore in procession the life-giving cross of Jesus.”[26]

Lord, perhaps for some of us, too, our first encounter with you occurred in a completely unexpected way. But then it grew.

Let us consider it a great grace that there are still Cyreneans in our midst. They carry other people’s crosses. They do it with perseverance. They are motivated by love. They put into practice Saint Paul’s command: “Bear one another’s burdens”.[27] In this way they protect their brothers and sisters.

LET US PRAY

Who doesn’t need a Cyrenean?

Lord Jesus, you told us that “it is more blessed to give than to receive”.[28] Make us ready to be “Cyreneans” to others. May those who see our way of life find encouragement, as they watch us striving to cultivate all that is beautiful, just, true and essential. May the frail see us as humble, for we too are frail in so many ways. Those who receive tokens of our generosity will realize that we too have a thousand reasons to be thankful. Even those who cannot run can simply stand and wait, for they are dear to us. They will find us ready to slow our pace: we do not want to leave them behind.

All: Pater noster… Stabat Mater

[24] Lk 23:26.
[25] Lk 14:27.
[26] EPHREM THE SYRIAN, Hymns on the Crucifixion, IX,1.
[27] Gal 6:2.
[28] Acts 20:35.

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