“A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.” Mark 15:21
This is the third installment of The Stations of The Cross from my personal prayer book, “Blessed Be God.” Lent is the perfect time to meditate on The Passion of Jesus Christ by prayerfully reflecting on The Stations of The Cross, and especially to do so on Fridays. It is always helpful to have images of each Station to reflect on, but if none are available just picture each in your mind. Then read the meditation, reflect, and pray.
This post contains the Fifth and Sixth Stations. I will continue to post two at a time over the course of Lent. By Holy Week, you will have all fourteen.
Fifth Station: The Cyrenian Helps Jesus to Carry His Cross.
Pray: We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider that the Jews seeing that at each step Jesus, from weakness, was on the point of expiring, and fearing that He would die on the way when they wished Him to die the ignominious death of the cross, constrained Simon the Cyrenian to carry the cross, behind Our Lord.
My most sweet Jesus, I will not refuse the cross as the Cyrenian did; I accept it, I embrace it. I accept in particular the death that Thou hast desinted for me with all the pains which may accompany it; I unite it to Thy death, I offer it to Thee. Thou hast died for love of me, I will die for love of Thee, and to please Thee. Help me by Thy grace. I love Thee, Jesus, my love; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou wilt.
“A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.” Luke 23:27
Sixth Station: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus.
Pray: We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Consider that the holy woman named Veronica, seeing Jesus so afflicted, and His face bathed in sweat and blood, presented Him with a towel with which He wiped His adorable face, leaving on it the impression of His holy countenance.
My most beloved Jesus, Thy face was beautiful before, but in this journey it has lost all its beauty, and wounds and blood have disfigured it. Alas! my soul also was once beautiful, when it received Thy grace in baptism; but I have disfigured it since by my sins. Thou alone, my Redeemer, canst restore it to its former beauty. Do this by Thy Passion, and then do with me what Thou wilt.
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