Quinta Stazione: Gesù è aiutato da Simone di Cirene
The Burden Shared
The chapter opens with an act of adoration and a reflection on the forced assistance of Simon of Cyrene in carrying the Cross.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.✦ Consider how the Jews, seeing that Jesus was so weak he was almost breathing his last at every step, and fearing he might die along the way—they who wanted to see him die the shameful death of the cross—forced Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross behind the Lord.
A Prayer of Union and Love
The devotee offers their own life and death to Christ, expressing deep repentance and a desire for eternal union.
My sweetest Jesus, I don't want to refuse the cross as the Cyrenian did; I embrace it and accept it. I accept especially the death destined for me, with all the pains that will come with it; I unite it to your death and offer it to you.1 You died for love of me; I want to die for love of you and to please you. Help me with your grace. I love you, my Jesus, more than myself; with all my heart I repent of having offended you. Forgive me, and don't let me separate myself from you. Grant that I may always love you, and then do with me as you please.
Read the original Latin
Ti adoriamo, o Cristo, e ti benediciamo, perché con la tua santa Croce hai redento il mondo.
Considera come vedendo i Giudei che Gesù per la debolezza a ogni passo quasi spirava l’anima, temendo che morisse per la via, essi che volevano vederlo morto con la morte infame di croce, costrinsero Simone di Cirene a portare la croce dietro al Signore. – Dolcissimo Gesù mio, non voglio come il Cireneo rifiutare la croce, io la abbraccio e la accetto; accetto specialmente la morte che mi è destinata con tutte le pene che l’accompagneranno; la unisco alla tua morte e te la offro. Tu sei morto per mio amore, io voglio morire per tuo amore e per farti piacere. Aiutami con la tua grazia.
Io ti amo, Gesù mio, più di me stesso, mi pento con tutto il cuore di averti offeso. Perdonami e non permettere che mi separi da te. Fa’ che sempre ti ami e poi disponi di me come ti piace.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Gal.3.13;Col.1.20;1Pet.1.18-1Pet.1.19 — Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree." Col.1.20 — and through him to reconcile all things to himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross — through him, whether things on earth or things in the heavens. 1Pet.1.18 — knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things—silver or gold—from your futile way of life handed down from your fathers, 1Pet.1.19 — but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot
Notes
- 1 ↩Italian 'il Cireneo' is Simon of Cyrene; traditional Liguorian meditation treats him as reluctant under compulsion, so 'rifiutare' is retained as refuse.
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