We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee, because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Meditation: Consider that the Jews, seeing that at each step Jesus, from weakness, was on the point of expiring, and fearing that He would die on the way, when they wished Him to die the ignominious death of the cross, constrained Simon the Cyrenian to carry the cross behind Our Lord.
Prayer: My most sweet Jesus, I will not refuse the cross as the Cyrenian did; I accept it, I embrace it. I accept in particular the death that Thou hast destined for me, with all the pains which may accompany it. I unite it to Thy death; I offer it to Thee. Thou hast died for love of me! I will die for love of Thee, and to please Thee. Help me by Thy grace. I love Thee, Jesus, my love; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou wilt.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Lord Jesus, crucified, have mercy on us!
There are so many points in this station that strike me. Jesus was so close to dying that they had to take measures that kept Him from that premature death. Imagine that. We are each Simon. We have been constrained to carry the cross, but how often do I throw mine down! I’m not really sure where I get off thinking I shouldn’t have hardships when Our Lord’s were so great and mine so miniscule. How absurd. I will strive to shoulder my cross for my Lord who died for me.
Is there one who would not weep, Whelmed in miseries so deep, Christ’s dear Mother to behold?
