Station V: The Cross is Laid on Simon of Cyrene

"And they forced a certain passerby, Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the country, to carry his cross behind him" (Mt. 15 / Lk.23). Jesus had not enough strength to support his cross. His spirit was willing, but his flesh was weak. In a short while, the cross would embrace him.

"Why me?" protested Simon, and we have said it too. It can be hard to bear the burden of discipleship. Sometimes it is thrust upon us. Paul says, "Each one has his own load to carry," and yet we are called also to "help bear one another's burdens" (Gal. 6).

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