They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. (Mark 15: 21)
This passer-by was almost certainly a pilgrim from Libya in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. There is no suggestion or tradition that Simon had prior experience with Jesus.
Simon did not offer to help. We cannot be sure if he felt empathy or indifference for Jesus. Most probably he was fearful for his own safety. There is an ancient tradition that in the confusion of the day Simon was crucified.
Whatever the case Simon was certainly transformed by being in the right (wrong?) place at the right (wrong?) time.
The most crucial moments in our lives can come uninvited, unwelcome, and full of fear. No matter what we choose our lives will never be the same.
May we choose to respond with whatever love and strength we can find, even when we unwillingly - or perhaps unwittingly - contribute to profound injustice.
This passer-by was almost certainly a pilgrim from Libya in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. There is no suggestion or tradition that Simon had prior experience with Jesus.
Simon did not offer to help. We cannot be sure if he felt empathy or indifference for Jesus. Most probably he was fearful for his own safety. There is an ancient tradition that in the confusion of the day Simon was crucified.
Whatever the case Simon was certainly transformed by being in the right (wrong?) place at the right (wrong?) time.
The most crucial moments in our lives can come uninvited, unwelcome, and full of fear. No matter what we choose our lives will never be the same.
May we choose to respond with whatever love and strength we can find, even when we unwillingly - or perhaps unwittingly - contribute to profound injustice.
posted by Didymus | 4:52 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home