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| Stations of the Cross
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| The
Fifth Station |
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The
Cross is Laid Upon Simon of Cyrene |
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V.
We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee:
(genuflect)
R.
Because by thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.
THE
READING: (St. Mark 15:16, 20-22)
The
soldiers...led him out to crucify him. And they compel one Simon,
a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of
Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. And they bring him unto a
place Golgatha, which is, being interpreted, The place of the skull.
V.
I did scourge Egypt with her first-born for thy
sake, and thou hast scourged me and delivered me up.
R.
Holy and Immortal, have mercy upon us.
Let us
pray:
Almighty
God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the
cross for our redemption; Give us courage, we beseech thee, to take up
our cross and follow him, even Jesus Christ thy Son our
Lord (who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
ever one God, world without end). Amen.
V.
O Savior of the world, who by thy Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed
us:
R.
Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
| Reflection:
At
length His strength fails utterly, and He is unable to proceed. The
executioners stand perplexed. What are they to do? How is He to get
to Calvary? Soon they see a stranger who seems strong and
active--Simon of Cyrene. They seize on him, and compel him to carry
the Cross with Jesus. The sight of the Sufferer pierces the man's
heart. Oh, what a privilege! O happy soul, elect of God! he takes
the part assigned to him with joy.
This
came of Mary's intercession. He prayed, not for Himself,
except that He might drink the full chalice of suffering and do His
Father's will; but she showed herself a mother by following
Him with her prayers, since she could help Him in no other way. She
then sent this stranger to help Him. It was she who led the soldiers
to see that they might be too fierce with Him. Sweet Mother, even
*do* the like to us. Pray for us ever, Holy Mother of God, pray for
us, whatever be our cross, as we pass along on our way. Pray for us,
and we shall rise again, though we have fallen. Pray for us when
sorrow, anxiety, or sickness comes upon us. Pray for us when we are
prostrate under the power of temptation, and send some faithful
servant of thine to succour us. And in the world to come, if found
worthy to expiate our sins in the fiery prison, send some good Angel
to give us a season of refreshment. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God. |
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