The Narrow Roads

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

Today I was thinking about this scripture and what Simon must have been thinking. Did he realize who he was carrying the cross for? Did he care? Was he complaining to himself that he was the one who had to help Jesus? As he was carrying the cross, did he feel compassion for Jesus or resentment? So many thoughts and fears had to come over him like a flood. Simon didn’t play a small part in the crucifixion. We don’t talk about him much, but we can learn a lot from what Simon did. God used Simon to help Jesus through a very hard and trying time. Jesus was beaten, bruised and could barely take another step. The Romans didn’t want him to die on the way, because they wanted to put Him through a horrible death. God needed Jesus to make it to the top so He could be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Simon had to be there so that the death on the cross would be completed for us.

I was listening to the Catholic app, Hallow. I was listening to one of the days of Lent teachings. There was a couple talking about their walk with the husband having depression. The wife talked about how she tried to fix him and take the depression away. She talked about how if she just made life better for him, he would get well. One day she realized that she can’t take his cross away from him, but she can help him carry his cross. God used Simon as an example to us that we too need to help others carry their cross. God puts people in our lives that will either help us carry our cross or we will help carry theirs.

That day I heard that teaching, I walked into where my husband was sitting. As many of you know, he is very ill. Some days are ok, and some days are horrible for him. When I walked into the living room and saw him sitting there struggling, I sat down beside him and told him that he doesn’t have to carry this cross alone and that I am here to help him carry his cross. He is a very independent person and hates for anyone to see weakness in him. I tried for so many months to fix him and get him the best medical help out there. Then after his last two strokes, I realized I can’t fix him. I am not God and it’s not my job to fix him. My job is to get up each day and pick up his cross and help him get up that hill.

I am sure Simon was thinking, “Why do I have to be the one who has do this?” I am sure he thought there were others more qualified to do this than him. I am sure he was thinking he was too busy to carry that cross. All things our human minds think when God has called us to do something hard. Helping someone carry their cross is an act of love and sacrifice. We all have people in our lives that need someone to help them with the struggles they are dealing with. God has called us to sacrifice our time and energy to help the people He puts in our lives.

Today is Good Friday and I had plans to go to mass with my parents. I wanted to give God some time to remember what He did for me. When my husband woke up, he wasn’t well. He could barely move and he was in a lot of pain. I text my mom and told her he wasn’t well and I couldn’t come. Mom told me that I was where Jesus wanted me to be and that I am carrying his cross for him. I am in a cross carrying season. I have had many help me carry my cross and now it’s my turn to carry someone else’s cross. We are all called to carry our own cross each day, and sometimes we need a little help.

As we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, let us remember the sacrifice He made for our sins, and may we be compelled to help others carry their cross when they need us to.

1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

What good news! His death and resurrection healed us from a sinful life!