Fourth Station

READING

LUKE 23:26

As they 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.

PRAYER

Jesus, thank you for this tiny glimpse of Simon from Cyrene, who shows us the cosmic impact of service. Please give us the eyes to see when, where, and who we can serve, and the strength to step into that call even when it causes a detour. Show us, too, how to let others help us. By your Spirit, help us to share our service generously and accept it from others graciously. Amen

REFLECTION: SERVICE

We see Jesus, creator and saviour of the world stumbling under the pain of his torture and the weight of his cross.

We see Simon, that we know very little about, helping, carrying with Jesus the instrument of his shame. He stands in solidarity with Jesus in his desperate need

For Simon it is a detour from the normality of his day. Pressed into service, who knows what he felt as he carried the cross amidst the jeering crowds and next to the one he served. But he said yes to service and in doing this said yes to Christ.

Where in our community today might there be a detour of service, where might we be called to pause and stand with the hurting and broken, where might we be called to share the burdens of those struggling under their weight?

READING AND REFLECTION AT THE FOURTH STATION

READING

PRAYER

REFLECTION: SERVICE

FIFTH STATION: JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM