Station 5 Devotional

V

With crucifix and book they came

They want our gods to be the same

You watched a stranger free you from your chain

I let the stranger know my name

At the fifth Station of the Cross Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry his cross. This episode cross is recorded in three gospels.

“As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced

him to carry the cross” (Matthew 27:32).

“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).

“As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in

from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus” (Luke

23:26).

Reflection Question: Have you ever had to welcome an unexpected and challenging experience in your life?

Prayer: God, who made us not strangers or foreigners, but members of your own household, make us welcoming of those who may feel like strangers and foreigners in our house. In the name of Jesus, who came unto his own and his own received him not and who let a stranger bear his cross for him.