A BURDEN SHARED

Cyrene was situated in modern-day Libya, on the northern coast of Africa.

Settled by the Greeks in 630 B.C. and later infused with a significant Jewish population, Cyrene was the capital of the Roman district of Cyrenaica at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion. By then, Cyrene was home to a large number of Greek-speaking, Hellenistic Jews.

- Fifth Sation in St Alban's, Holborn - Simon of Cyrene carries the Cross - Hans Feibusch

Simon of Cyrene is mentioned in Matthew, Mark and Luke.

Matthew only records his name and place of origin (27:32),

but Mark and Luke say that he was “on his way in from the country” (Luke 23:26). Mark provides the most information about Simon, adding that he was “the father of Alexander and Rufus” (Mark 15:21), men obviously well known to Mark’s readers.

It is speculated that the Rufus mentioned here may be the same man

Paul greets in his letter to Rome, whom he calls “chosen in the Lord”

and whose mother “has been a mother to me, too” (Romans 16:13).

So does any of this indicate whether Simon was a black African?

Ultimately, we don’t know for sure.

There is always the possibility that Simon was an African

who converted to Judaism, or that he was of mixed descent.

However, considering that people of Jewish lineage lived throughout the Roman Empire, it is also possible that Simon of Cyrene was olive-skinned.

"Simon the Cyrenean, African Jew, visitor to Jerusalem,

did not know Jesus. But that did not matter.

What matters here is that in this moment of need

Simon was capable of lending his strength of shoulder

to one whose own physical strength had given out,

offering his strength to one who had nothing left,

of taking on himself the cross,

which Jesus could no longer carry."

Simon - "Why me?

Why pick on me to carry his cross?

I suppose I look strong, but even for someone as strong as me

this cross is rough and heavy".

"He doesn’t look like a criminal

or a trouble-maker,

but then, you don’t need to be;

you only have to upset the Romans;

that’s why I didn’t argue".

“Carry this”, they ordered....."

“Thank you”, he says,

his eyes reflecting pain

that is more than his own.

I feel compelled to carry this further;

not just today,

but from now on."

Jesus - Simon was privileged to share with you the burden of our salvation;

May we see you and serve you in the burdens of others.

Across our world we see human suffering in the faces of strangers,

in the faces of those struggling for peace, democracy and an end to violence

in Gaza and beyond, in the faces of those dealing with

the loss of life and destruction of property.

People we know of, but do not know,

must live with the aftermath of the ravages and destructive forces

of humanity and of nature, coping with floods, earthquakes, and drought,

with the devastating effects of climate change…

Lord, help us to grasp our opportunities to be a Simon in our world.

In those times when we can help the overburdened,

may we continue the spirit of Simon through our support of all agencies

who work to alleviate suffering in our world;

and may we have the humility to accept all the Simons along our road

who reach out to help us in our moments of need.

We adore you O Christ, and we praise you,

because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world