Men's Rosary

We are told that we must pick up and carry our cross every day. We are also told that we are to unite our sufferings, cross if you will, to Christ’s suffering and cross. The only way to bear the weight of our crosses is with the help of Jesus.

This has helped me much in dealing with everday struggles as well as major events in my life. We go through so much at times, with issues within families, loss of loved ones, serious illnesses, etc. When these things are put in the right perspective and are united to Christ there is always a path through the suffering. Many times there is a “resurrection” of sorts, as I come out of those situations stronger and wiser. So it is good to face and carry our crosses with the help of Jesus!

But what about the crosses around us? Those of other people? While it is true we have our cross to bear at any given moment, others do too. I have been thinking about this and I ask myself, what should I do?

I thought of Simon the Cyrene. A man told to help Christ carry his cross. He was not offering…he was just told to do so. He did help, and I think he came to appreciate and love Jesus through it all. So a task became freely offered help and love grew.

Maybe we have been tasked like he was. Are we listening or ignoring. When asked or told to do something that thing becomes our cross for a time, but we are really helping another to bear the weight of their cross. Like Jesus, they will still have it to face. We do not take it away or take it on, we simply assist.

I ask myself, as I would pose the question to you. Do I grumble or just jump in and help? Though not every time, I know I grumble too often. Even more, am I too much like Simon the Cyrene, being asked or told to assist with carrying anothers cross? Or am I able to see the need on my own and act without any prompting?

I don’t think its just about carrying our cross with the help of Jesus. While that is a must, we also should see the crosses around us and help to bear and carry them as well.

“Oh my Jesus. I accept and bear with submission whatever crosses God permits in my life today. For love of you, for the conversion of sinners and in reparations for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary”

I have said this prayer daily for years….its meaning grows deeper, especially when noticing all the crosses and bearing some of their weight as well.

So like Simon the Cyene, we should respond and help when tasked and hopefully grow in our capacity to love. But also, we must imitate Christ in taking on the crosses of others freely out of love for one another.