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Via Crucis Grid Blog:
Station #5: Simon of Cyrene is Made to Carry the Cross

Get someone else to carry the cross-beam for him. He’s becoming too weak. A moment of humanity on the part of the troops leading Jesus to His death...

or is it?

In an attempt to place a better face on the Romans in the story, that may have been one of the reasons for this part of the story being included. But more to the point, I think, it is just another example of the cruelty of the Romans themselves. An innocent bystander has to do something against his will.

You! Over there! Yes, you! Come here. Right now. Here. Take the cross from him. Don’t argue. Because I say so!

The advantage of tyranny and unlimited power. Anyone can become your slave. Anyone can be called out of the crowd to do what they have no intention of doing. It’s better to hide and be as small as possible. Stay out of sight and you will be all right.

Perhaps when it was all over and the New Day After Easter had come Simon of Cyrene would have had a different understanding of this. Maybe he would have seen God’s Hand in what was going on. Perhaps even at the time he was grateful for the possibility of helping a poor, powerless, condemned man. Even if he had no idea who Jesus was.

That, too, is an old story. Jesus told that one, too.

When the King comes he will give you great thanks for having ministered to him.

“But when did we do that, O Lord,” the righteous will answer, puzzled.

“Whenever you did it for one of the least- that was me.”

Does that mean we accept tyranny as God’s way to get someone to do something for God? Of course not. But even when we least expect it, we may just be meeting- and ministering to- Jesus.

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Posting on the Via Crucis Grid Blog for all the stations:
Renee, Mike, Argent, Best & Worst, Shawn, Joseph, Kat, Rick, Stephanie, Trepanatus

For today:
Station 5) Simon of Cyrene is made to bear the cross: Preston, Annie, Elena, Martha2, PmPilgrim Only Wonder Understands, Jimmy
Station 6) Christ's face is wiped by Veronica: Crossroad Disptaches

Related Tags: Via Crucis Grid Blog, Holy Week, Jesus