We are praying our way through the Rosary Mysteries in solidarity with the Pope's request in turbulent times. The painting is by Titian: Christ Carrying the Cross.
Our Father...
In images of Jesus carrying the cross, Jesus is usually looking at a specific person: his mother, Veronica, Simon or the women of Jerusalem. But here, Titian has Jesus looking directly at us - each of us individually and all of us collectively.
Hail Mary...
More often than not, Jesus is depicted wearing pretty clean clothes as he walks the Calvary way. But not here - Titian's Jesus is wearing a very dirty tunic. He carries all of human dirty-ness. Some people can't think of sin beyond our third grade examination of conscience. Maybe Jesus is looking into the big-desked offices where contracts are signed for weapons that will be used to burn and blow up children. Jesus carries that dirt.
Hail Mary...
In the top left corner we see Simon of Cyrene, who helped Jesus to carry the cross (Mark 15:21). He is a quiet presence, coming out of shadow. His eyes are fixed on Jesus. The Gospel tells us that Simon was "pressed" into carrying the cross. Titian seems to have softened that. Conversion brings change: a change of mind; a change of heart.
Hail Mary...
Ancient Cyrene is thought to be in Northern Africa. A recent newspaper article reporting on the lucrative business presence of China in Africa is titled: Chinese Bring Investment, and Racism, to Nairobi. Why does this hateful attitude towards Africa and its descendents persist? It is very wrong. An African man helped the anguished Jesus.
Hail Mary...
We're told that helpful Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus. It seems that later these sons became esteemed Christians. We might wonder if and how their father's Good Friday witness impacted them, and here we're thinking about it more than 2000 years later. St. Maximilian Kolbe, the martyr of Auschwitz said, the smallest acts of kindness ripple to eternity.
Hail Mary...
The account of Jesus walking to Calvary is filled with emotion. It invites us to wonder: how did Simon feel about the Romans forcing him into service? It's probably safe to say he was surprised. Mother Teresa said, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." There are the small and daily events that surprise and delight us, but there are also the surprises of God's presence and new direction that might shock us.
Hail Mary...
It was common practice to offer pain killing drugs to men going to execution. The women Jesus met along the road likely offered more than tears. The soldiers offered Jesus drug-laced wine at the top of the hill. We live in an intoxicated nation: drunk on power, pornography, alcohol and food overdose, shopping. Is it unreasonable to think that here, Jesus is inviting us to a new depth of sobriety?
Hail Mary...
Only love explains why Jesus would accept this kind of suffering. I am left silent. But it was Jesus who taught us that love sums up all that religion has to teach us. Love is Jesus' new commandment. It is the characteristic that must mark or distinguish his followers.
Hail Mary...
Hail Mary...
Jesus is surrounded by brutality. We're told later that most of his friends ran away. How awful is that. But might we consider Simon and Veronica to be new friends? We learn in the crucifixion scene that Mary and John stayed near, and Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were present at least for Jesus' burial. The world can be a friendless place.
Hail Mary...
Glory be to the Father...
