Meditations for the Via Crucis - Eighth Station
Jesus helped by Simon of Cyrene
| Reading from the Gospel according to Luke | (Lk 23: 26) |
And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene who was coming in from the country and laid on him the cross to carry it behind Jesus.
Reflection
Jesus accepted the Cross with love and with freely.
Simon of Cyrene was made to carry the Cross.
What a change! What a mystery!
Simon of Cyrene takes the place of Jesus! What is the meaning of this O Lord?
This happened that we may recognize O Jesus that you are our Simon of Cyrene; you carry our Cross that like you we may carry the Cross of our brother or sister.
Prayer
O Mary, thou art another Simon of Cyrene; you not only carried the Cross for some time,
But without ever being made to do so,
You offered your life, your entire life to God, with your ‘Fiat’.
Help us that instead of pitying those who suffer,
We may offer our help with love.
Silence.....Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be
Blessed is the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus
O Lord have mercy on us and grant us forgiveness of our sins
We adore you O Christ and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.