Station five: Simon of Cyrene bears the cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
 
As they were leading him away they seized on a man, Simon from Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus.
Luke 23:26

Jesus’s strength is failing and the soldiers are worried He will not survive the journey to the hill of execution. They drag Simon from the crowd and order him to bear the cross for Jesus.

There are many who work to help refugees in their different situations. The Jesuit Refugee Service places accompaniment at the heart of its mission. It tries to ease the burden of its refugee friends and journeys alongside them through difficult moments. We recognise that often we cannot remove our friends’ crosses but we can help to carry them. May we all be willing to take action and not need to be dragged, like Simon, from the crowd.
 
We pray for the work of JRS and all those who accompany and serve refugees and asylum seekers. May they be a sign of God’s presence even in the darkest moments of these people’s lives.
 
I love you, Jesus, my love above all things,

And I repent with my whole heart of having offended you.

Never permit me to separate myself from you again,

Grant that I may love you always, and then do with me what you will.