The Carrying of the Cross

And as they led him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country; and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of people, and of women, who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them, said: Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me; but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

Luke 23:26-28

Physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausted, Our Lord was forced to carry his own instrument of execution through the dusty Jerusalem streets. Beaten down repeatedly, crying in front of his Holy Mother, abandoned by his friends, turned over by the very people that shouted him into the the city. Forced to get help from a stranger.

And this brought something to my mind as I reflected on Christ today, I came across the quote from Matthew, chapter 11: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” I have been familiar with this passage for a long time, but honestly didn’t give it a whole lot of thought until just now. Jesus is asking us to take up his cross, his yoke, his burden. But let’s stop and consider what his burden is. What put him on the cross? Us. You and me. Our sins. So when he asks us to share his burden, he is asking us to be our own co-redeemers.

Oh my Jesus, bless us with your burden, our sins. Let us share in your pain so as to grow closer to you. Show us the how to love as completely as you did on that Good Friday, and continue to do today. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.