5th Station of the Cross

5th Station of the Cross

Simon of Cyrene is forced to help Jesus to carry His cross to Calvary. Simon was just a bystander watching what was going on with Jesus. Simon did not plan on helping Jesus and becoming part of His journey. Jesus was not moving as fast as the soldiers wanted and was becoming weaker and weaker with each step. They knew He would not be able to do this Himself and longer so they pulled Simon from the crowd and forced him to help. 

    This station like the first can be seen from both persons. First being Jesus. Jesus is beaten down and tired, both physically, emotional and I wonder if spiritually as well. We know Jesus could have called on Heaven to give Him strength but He allowed another to help Him with His struggle. How good are you at asking for help when going through something? Are you able to ask someone to help with a task that you will need help with? I must admit that this I am not good at. I do not ask for help and if I am asked if I need help I will say no but Thank You for asking and continue on. I know this is not something that is a good trait in myself. If Jesus was able to accept help I also need to learn to do that as well. I must be able to humble myself as Jesus shows us all to do and ask and accept that help from others. People feel needed and wanted when we allow them to help. It shows that we trust and need them in our lives. It is not showing a weakness but a strength. 

     The second perspective is that of Simon. Simon had no intention of helping Jesus but is forced to by the soldiers. Have you watched someone who needed help and did nothing to help them? Have you given excuses so you would not have to help someone? We are all called to help others. Jesus helped those He knew and also those who He did not know. There are plenty of ways we can help others. We are able to help other by bring food and drink to those in need and bring clothes to them as well. There are many organizations that ask for our help both monetarily and physically. It is up to us to be the hands and feet of Jesus today on earth by helping others. No one will force us like they did Simon. Look around you and see what you can do to help others in need. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and may you find ways to help and be helped by others. 

Friday of the First Week of Lent

Lectionary: 228

Reading 1

EZ 18:21-28

Thus says the Lord GOD:

If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, 

if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just,

he shall surely live, he shall not die. 

None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him;

he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced. 

Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked?

says the Lord GOD. 

Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way

that he may live?

And if the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil,

the same kind of abominable things that the wicked man does,

can he do this and still live?

None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered,

because he has broken faith and committed sin;

because of this, he shall die. 

You say, “The LORD’s way is not fair!” 

Hear now, house of Israel:

Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?

When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies,

it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die.

But if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has committed,

does what is right and just,

he shall preserve his life;

since he has turned away from all the sins that he committed, 

he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7A, 7BC-8

R. (3) If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;

LORD, hear my voice!

Let your ears be attentive

to my voice in supplication.

R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

If you, O LORD, mark iniquities,

LORD, who can stand?

But with you is forgiveness,

that you may be revered. 

R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

I trust in the LORD;

my soul trusts in his word.

My soul waits for the LORD

more than sentinels wait for the dawn.

Let Israel wait for the LORD.

R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

For with the LORD is kindness

and with him is plenteous redemption;

And he will redeem Israel

from all their iniquities.

R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

Verse Before The Gospel

EZ 18:31

Cast away from you all the creatures you have committed, says the LORD,

and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

Gospel

MT 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples: 

“I tell you, 

unless your righteousness surpasses that

of the scribes and Pharisees,

you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,

You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.

But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother

will be liable to judgment,

and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, 

will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,

and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,

and there recall that your brother

has anything against you,

leave your gift there at the altar,

go first and be reconciled with your brother,

and then come and offer your gift.

Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court.

Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,

and the judge will hand you over to the guard,

and you will be thrown into prison.

Amen, I say to you,

you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”