Page 83 - laten-08-06-2020

Simon Of Cyrene

Distanced and Disrespected

Matt 27: 32; Mark 15: 21; Luke 23: 26
Introduction

ent is a time of preparations and redefinitions. We need
Lto prepare ourselves to accept some forms of actions that
we think are right. We need to re-define certain ways through
which we have been acting and claiming the superiority of acts
rather the goodness in it.
In this meditation we would be focusing on the character
Simon of Cyrene. The character is mentioned in the bible in
Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21 and Luke 23:26. The focus would be
on how he was treated by the Roman soldiers and what Simon
as an involuntary sufferer, as a forced laborer, teaches us in
return. Theologizing suffering as a necessary prelude to glory is
fundamental in Christian theology. Christianity is incomplete
without Cross; the message of salvation lies in the Christ event,
which are the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Having accepted this notion it is essentially important to address
the pain and agony that suffering seeds in the psyche of an
individual. Surpassing these emotions by pointing out the end
result of this experience which may or may not be positive is a
kind of injustice towards the human experience of suffering and
its effects here and now. When suffering is a ‘forced’ experience
then the whole idea of glorification of suffering should take a
back step to delve deep into the socio political and economic
aspects and impacts of ‘suffering’.
The biblical character Simon of Cyrene is one such man
who was forcefully made to carry the cross of Jesus. Traditional
readings of this incident find it as a privilege to carry the cross
along with Jesus and suggest that the incident may have had
high impact in the life of Simon. But it is equally important
to see the agreement of a person in undertaking a particular

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Lenten Meditations Re - Imaging People