8th Scriptural Station of the Cross

Simon, the Cyrenian, helps Jesus bear His cross. (Mark 15:21))

Prepare your setting. Take a few deep breaths and exhale slowly.

Begin with the Sign of the Cross. Then: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Invite Jesus to visit with you. Tell Him of any concerns that are on your mind.

“Read” the image. Look from top to bottom, left and right. Look over it a second or third time. What strikes you? What is happening? What objects and symbols do you notice? Ponder the messages. I’ll share my thoughts [in brackets], but your thoughts are what matter.

[I don’t mean any disrespect when I say this, Jesus, but this picture almost makes me laugh. You look like You are saying, “Really, Simon? After all I’ve gone through with the scourging and the crowning of thorns and continual beatings as I carry this cross, you have the nerve to complain that you have to help?” It’s one of those images that doesn’t show the suffering You really had to endure this far along the Way of the Cross.

What I like about the painting is the fact that Simon does look put out about the soldiers making him help You. Maybe he was on his way to run an errand for his wife, or to meet his children, or to go to work for money he needed to feed them that day. Maybe he was oblivious to all that was going on and just happened to be in the exact spot at the exact time a soldier could grab him and force him into service. Now I’m tempted to think about if God willed Simon to be there or if it just happened and God knew it but didn’t cause it. Those kind of questions give me a headache but I don’t think You want us to know the answers on this side of heaven. Do you?

Or maybe Simon is just angry at the soldiers for what they were doing to Jesus. Maybe he is happy to help but angry that any crucifixion was happening, especially to a holy man like Jesus. Maybe he was more than tired that the Romans pushed everyone around, especially the Jews, and he was low on hope because he thought Jesus was a Messiah who would defeat the Romans and now it appears He is being defeated.

There is a lot of yellow-gold color in this picture. Is it yellow as in sinners who won’t help other humans in need and therefore traitors to the Word of God? Or is it the gold of divine character of the people who do take the time to help. Maybe since the yellow-gold paints the air, it indicates that grace is abundant and is there for anyone to breath it in. ]

Meditate. Talk to God about the image, how you feel and why. Wrestle with Him about your questions until you have nothing else to say.

Pray. Lord Jesus, grant us willing spirits that we may be your instruments on earth. Can you add more to this prayer?  

Contemplate. Relax. Breathe deeply. Enjoy God’s presence. Let Him speak through your senses, thoughts, imagination until the timer rings.

Write something to keep in your heart until your next prayer session.

Thank Jesus for visiting with you. End with the Sign of the Cross. Amen.

Thank you for joining us for this meditation. I look forward to praying with you again at the next Station.