Station V

Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross.

Jesus even experiences our struggle to receive help. He is made to experience the poverty of not being able to carry his burden alone. He enters into the experience of all who must depend upon others to survive. He is deprived of the satisfaction of carrying this burden on his own.

Reader:
We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
All: Because by thy holy cross
thou hast redeemed the world.

I look into his face and contemplate his struggle.
His weariness and fragility.
His powerlessness .
I see how he looks at Simon,
with utmost humility and gratitude.

This is for me.
So I feel anguish and gratitude.
I express my thanks that he can continue this journey. That he has help.
That he knows my inability to carry my burden alone.

I say what is in my heart, with deep feeling.

Who, on Christ's dear mother gazing,
pierced by anguish so amazing,
born of woman, would not weep?