Passion Redoublé (5)

Sonnet/Station No. 5 - Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry His Cross.
One Simon of Cyrene stands there, too,
But really, he is just a passer-by.
In town for Passover, he never knew
He’d somehow catch the Romans’ blood-lust eyes.
“Hey, you!” perhaps they shouted from the road,
When Jesus was too weak to carry on.
“Pick up his cross!” Or maybe, “Take his load!”
As Simon’s help is now, sine qua non.
We know discipleship--by Christ’s own voice--
Depends upon us picking up our cross.
Albeit not perhaps by Simon’s choice,
I sense that Simon gladly walked the walk.
May history long recall this gracious man.
Veronica, as well, with veil in hand…