Simon of Cyrene, who is roped in to help Jesus carry his cross, presents a glimpse of a particular personality type. Most of us live this personality or this trait very often in our life - especially religious.
Simon is there on the scene by chance. Or could be there by choice. But him getting dragged in to assist Jesus is pure chance! No way did he volunteer for it (doesn't look so). The soldiers may have asked for volunteers to come forward. Simon may have thought of volunteering. Maybe he did. Nonetheless, the point is this: He knew for certain that the cross was not his. He was safe! He only had a guest appearance! Of this he was sure. From the citadel of that certainty it is not very difficult to help Jesus! With my securities in place, I lose nothing. So lending a helping hand to someone is fine.
All he had to do was play the role for that intermediary period, till Golgotha or till the soldiers decide to let go of him. No smart moves! He didn't protest the persecution and the torture. He wouldn't. He was not seen or heard before. He is not seen or heard after this event. This is exactly the mission mode most religious happily engage in: doing good (occasionally or very often), but from within the comfort zones one wouldn't risk leaving. But we are called - and we profess, in response - to be more than mere part-time charity doers or organisers. We are meant to be the radicals. We are called to be His disciples, all the time, everywhere, for all. Even if it entails not being with Jesus on his way to Calvary - like John the Baptist - because, we have already walked that way!
Simon is there on the scene by chance. Or could be there by choice. But him getting dragged in to assist Jesus is pure chance! No way did he volunteer for it (doesn't look so). The soldiers may have asked for volunteers to come forward. Simon may have thought of volunteering. Maybe he did. Nonetheless, the point is this: He knew for certain that the cross was not his. He was safe! He only had a guest appearance! Of this he was sure. From the citadel of that certainty it is not very difficult to help Jesus! With my securities in place, I lose nothing. So lending a helping hand to someone is fine.
All he had to do was play the role for that intermediary period, till Golgotha or till the soldiers decide to let go of him. No smart moves! He didn't protest the persecution and the torture. He wouldn't. He was not seen or heard before. He is not seen or heard after this event. This is exactly the mission mode most religious happily engage in: doing good (occasionally or very often), but from within the comfort zones one wouldn't risk leaving. But we are called - and we profess, in response - to be more than mere part-time charity doers or organisers. We are meant to be the radicals. We are called to be His disciples, all the time, everywhere, for all. Even if it entails not being with Jesus on his way to Calvary - like John the Baptist - because, we have already walked that way!
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