He's getting weaker by the minute. Even with Simon's help, Jesus falls, feeling unable to continue. Every ounce of energy from him has been spent, but he's so close. So close to finishing his mission. So close to death, but still a hard journey ahead.
And, in a very small way, I know what that feels like. When you have to convince yourself to keep going - even though it's hard, even when the worst is yet to come. That anxiety that we all have faced at one time or another helps us to relate to Jesus. Maybe it's someone at work. Maybe it's someone at home. Maybe it's at a funeral. There are days we need to press on, and Jesus shows us what that means.
That goes both ways too. Maybe the next time I'm feeling anxious, worn down or outright fearful for the next day, Jesus is the person I can talk to about it. He knows because he was there. Walking that road. Falling down. Getting back up. And moving forward - even though the end would be the worst, and best, day of his life.
Like many of the stations, Veronica's presence is not supported by any of the four Gospels. In fact, much of the legend - including that of the imprint left on the shroud of cloth (not to be confused with the Shroud of Turin) - has been added well after the 11th century. So why do we include this particular legend?
Imagine you came to possess this shroud. What would it mean for you? For your faith? Would you focus on the physical evidence of Christ's existence, as proven by a piece of cloth? Would it help you to believe more, or less? Would you share it with others? At what price?
While we may never entirely know the motivation for including this as a part of the stations, we're reminded that our belief has to transcend what can be seen and heard. We're close to 2000 years after Christ's death, without much (if any) physical proof, yet we believe in Him - in who he was, and who he is now and forever. And we believe that because of the witness supplied by others - by folks during his time as well as our own. From Veronica, wiping his face in hopes to provide some relief, to Simon, pressed into service to help carry the cross, to our parents, grandparents, siblings and friends. We each provide a witness to Christ in our own way - and receive it in our own way as well.
And like Veronica, our true identity and purpose may be lost or forgotten as time presses on. But our witness will live on forever - through the people we touch, support and care for. That's what makes believing without seeing possible.
"They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross." - Mark 15:21
Matthew, Mark and Luke all note that, at one point, a man named "Simon" (different from Peter) helped Jesus carry the cross. However, it doesn't appear this Simon did it willingly - each write in a way that indicates Simon was made to do it by the soldiers following Jesus.
While not supported directly by the Gospels (or by further New Testament books), tradition holds that Alexander and Rufus were early Christian missionaries. And this would make some sense, given how Mark openly "shouts out" to the two of them - since the addition provides no greater clarity to the scene. It would appear then, that their father Simon learned something along the way. Something that, after he left Jesus, he brought back to his sons. Something that compelled his sons to become evangelists in a time that was openly hostile to Christianity.
In short, by Simon literally taking up the cross with Jesus, we learn how such a short time spent with Him can be so impactful. Jesus was tired, weary, beat and bloodied. But his mission continued on, so much so that Simon believed in who he was, and who he was here for.
We too can do the same - by helping others, we walk in their shoes - we take a part of their burden, and in turn learn about their struggles, hopes and fears. While reluctant, Simon carried the cross with Jesus. And by the end, he had changed - he and his family were followers of Jesus.
"Then the angel [Gabriel] said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.' " - Luke 1:30-33
"Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son.' " - John 19:25-26
The station focuses on Mary's visit to Jesus as he's carrying the cross, though scripture only notes Mary being present at the actual crucifixion. Nonetheless, I'm sure a number of things were racing through her mind. A parent losing a child is one of the hardest things a mother could experience. And Mary had to watch it helplessly - a witness to the end of a life she was so crucial in creating. She could no more intervene in his death, than have stopped his conception from happening in the first place.
Her belief carries on though - and she's immediately taken in by one of Jesus's disciples at his command. Just like the wedding at Cana, Jesus is taking care of his mother - even at the very end.
It's a good reminder for us - to look out for others, even when we're stressed out, weak or just worn out from the day. Even if it's a simple phone call, card or even a text message - words of comfort, encouragement or friendship can change someone's life. And help us to provide a silent witness to Jesus on the cross.
Jesus's falling (all three times) isn't documented in the canonical Gospels. In fact, they didn't show up until the later Middle Ages. But they provide a very "human" characteristic to Jesus - that he too can bear only so much weight. If it did happen (and there isn't any evidence either way), he would have been further mocked, whipped, and had to rise up to carry his cross by threat of the same.
In this station, Jesus reminds us of how easy it is to fall in our lives - to be exhausted, not willing to go on. But sometimes you have to rise up - no matter what others are saying or doing - and keep going. Even if it's to something you fear. Because, while he fell, God was still with him - just like us. Just like always.
"[The Soldiers] began to salute him with, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him. They knelt before him in homage. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out to crucify him. " - Mark 15:18-20
We've all been there - you're in a crowd, and people are ganging up on someone else, making fun of them or otherwise causing them to feel bad. And instead of sticking up for them, you join in - maybe because it's fun, maybe because it's safer - but nonetheless, you don't stop them from what they're doing.
And I have to believe that, for some of these soldiers, they got caught up in the moment. Unfortunately for them, their moment just happened to be when the Son of God was being taunted and abused. And Jesus wasn't just any prisoner - and because of that, they get a dubious place in history.
But because Jesus wasn't just any man, they also can receive his forgiveness - just like we can. Like them, all we need to do is ask for it, and it will be given.
Even at his - and our - darkest moments, Jesus is there. Always.
"Pilate again said to [The Crowd] in reply, 'Then what do you want me to do with the man you call the king of the Jews?' They shouted again, 'Crucify him.' Pilate said to them, 'Why? What evil has he done?' They only shouted the louder, 'Crucify him.' So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified. " - Mark 15:12-15
Pilate is in a tough spot. The chief priests have the crowd all riled up - and Pilate knows if he doesn't acquiesce to their demands, he may have a full riot on his hands. But in the canon of the passion, he's the lucky one to be the final word on the status of Jesus's execution. And it's not a good decision for Jesus.
And he decides as any governor of the time would have - one man's life to save that of many more. Should there have been a riot, no doubt many would have been killed - many by Pilate's hands. And while I'm sure Jesus's human side was quietly hoping for a decision favoring both he and Barabbas, he too must have known the stakes. And in a very real, but often forgotten way, the decision to execute Jesus resulted in many lives saved. Only, in this case, it's in a physical sense.
Later on that day, our spirits would be saved - once and for all.
*Special Note: For many Christians, this is the start of Holy Week, a week that is spent reflecting on Jesus's sacrifice for all. I will be publishing Lectio Divinas based on Jesus's road to the cross, using the modern "Stations of the Cross" as a guide. The images come from the GNU-licensed images of the Stations on display at Church of Notre-Dame-des-Champs. The full set (along with the license) can be viewed on Wikipedia here. I will do my best to publish all 14 during this year's Holy Week.
He's getting weaker by the minute. Even with Simon's help, Jesus falls, feeling unable to continue. Every ounce of energy from him has been spent, but he's so close. So close to finishing his mission. So close to death, but still a hard journey ahead.
