V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. (You may bow your head or genuflect)
R. Because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

Read and Listen: (Lk 23:26)

As they led Jesus away, they laid hold of one Simon the Cyrenean who was coming in from the fields. They put a crossbeam on Simon's shoulder for him to carry along behind Jesus.

Reflect

When we are asked to do a burdensome or shameful chore, we ask as in a complaint, "Why me?" The answer is: "Why not you?" Simon of Cyrene must have asked the same question affirming his innocence. He just came from the field work, and now he was thrust into the public eye sharing the same condemnation as the man whose cross he was asked to carry. Perhaps out of fear and reluctantly, he did the work. In the end, he felt that it was a great privilege to have helped the Son of God in this redemptive mission. He carried his own cross with Jesus, and for others too. Doing good to a neighbor is always the Lord's criterion for our entry into and sharing the kingdom of God (Mt 25:34). In the parable, even a good Samaritan is capable of doing good, and therefore he merits God's reward too (Lk 10:33-35). Many saints have testified that in helping someone in need, they actually assisted Jesus. Would you want to see and be with Jesus? Then hesitate not to help someone in need. Being fooled by a pretender does not diminish the reward for the good deed done in Jesus' name. Jesus himself saved us even when we were not worthy of the salvation he has worked for our benefit (Rom 5:8). It was because He loved us.

Pray

Dear Jesus, how I wished I were there to help you carry your Cross, like Simon did! And yet there are many occasions in which I could have done it through a neighbor in need. I justified my reluctance to help in many ways. I fail in works of charity to them. Help me to see the needs of others and to act in lifting up their crosses, though it may take me extra time, energy and risk of self. You did it for me. Now help me to do it for others too—with generosity and love. Amen. (You may say the Our Father before you go to the next station.)