Lenten Scribbles from... Sisters In Scripture
Every Wednesday of Lent a new Scribbles will arrive in your inbox with a different character from WITNESSES ON THE WAY, an invitation to enter into the Passion of Christ through the eyes of someone who was there. Each one will feature Scripture, background information, reflection questions, and the words of the character as a Midrash in prayerful response to the story.
On Good Friday, we will add to these seven and host an online, interactive Stations of the Cross. NOTE: Registration is now open on a pay-as-you-can scale. Please go to the bottom of the page to reserve your space.
Simon of Cyrene
Scripture...
Luke 23:26:
As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus.
Matthew 27:32
As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross.
Mark 15:21
They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian,[a] who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.
Art...
Paintings of Christ carrying his cross abound in Renaissance art. Sometimes he is depicted as a solitary figure. More often, numerous other figures are included in the scene: soldiers, curious bystanders, weeping women, taunting strangers, a harassing executioner, and, frequently, Simon of Cyrene, as mentioned in three of the gospels. Rare, however, is a painting that portrays Christ and Simon in isolation. In choosing to depict the scene this way, Titian creates a moment of intimacy. Simon leans in, his gaze upon the figure of Jesus. Though his face is in shadow, his full embrace of the cross hints at its weight and perhaps, his own intent. Jesus' eyes are alert, looking directly at the viewer. They invite us into the scene. They invite us into the action--to lean in, gaze upon Jesus, and fully embrace the cross as did Simon.
"Christ Carrying the Cross," Titian, 1570-75
Music Meditation...
The intimacy of Titian's painting evokes relationship. In the proximity of sharing the same burden, we become aware of one another's breath, aware of our footsteps in unison, the weight borne between us, perhaps, even, the sound of one another's heartbeat. Simon of Cyrene becomes our icon for reflecting on this tender reliance. Though he was the one who walked with Jesus, more often it is Jesus who walks with us. No doubt, Simon had ample times in later life to recall just what that was like. Let us focus on our great desire and great need to have Jesus as our companion in life, our walking partner, as we listen to this classic spiritual. The first deep and powerful rendition comes from African American Spirituality. The second offering is a lush and lovely version of youthful faces from Fountainview Academy. I could not make up my mind which to offer, so I leave it to you to decide which you like:
Background...
Simon’s hometown of Cyrene is in northern Africa, modern day Libya. There was at that time a community of about 100,000 Jews in Cyrene. Tradition has long held that Simon went on to become one of the first Christians and that his sons, Rufus and Alexander, were Christian missionaries to Rome—perhaps why Mark identifies Simon as “The father of Alexander and Rufus." None of the names Simon, Alexander, or Rufus are Semitic but it was common for diaspora Jews to take Greek names. It may be that the Rufus mentioned by Paul in Romans 16:13 is this Simon’s son. “Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.” If so, this mention of the mother as well would surely complete this early Christian family. It may even be that Simon was one of the men from Cyrene that Paul mentions in Acts 11:20, who went to Antioch to preach the Good News.
To Ponder...
The Midrash below was written in the words of Simon of Cyrene in response to pondering these questions.
Midrash...
I was there in Jerusalem, one of many of those who had crowded into the city. I had come all the way from Cyrene in Africa, from my home in the country to be at Passover in Jerusalem. Suddenly, I heard a commotion in the streets. Three prisoners surrounded by a square of Roman soldiers were being led out of the city to their deaths by crucifixion. Just as I was trying to work my way to the edges of the crowd, the flat of a Roman spear touched me on the shoulder. I was forced to carry one of the three crosses.
My heart filled with bitterness toward the Romans and toward this criminal who had involved me in his crime. And then I noticed the one whose cross I bore was quite different from the other two. He seemed a gentler soul. He had a kind of dignity about him and he didn’t strike me as a criminal. Then I saw the placard being carried along to nail on his cross – King of the Jews – in three languages. I guess he must have committed some kind of political crime.
But as we staggered through the streets, Jesus met my eye from time to time and I felt drawn to him. Somehow, I felt a change inside me. What will I tell my wife when I go home? How can I explain what happened to me to my boys Alexander and Rufus? I know it seems so strange. But in his suffering, his coming death, I am somehow being affirmed and made whole. Can I find a way to shape my days around that simple message that is beginning to live in me just now…..God loves me. God loves you. That’s the word--love. Can the burdens I carry be transformed by God’s love?
Prayer...
All: Lord, we give you all of our life—not only our Sunday morning, but our tedious, stress-filled, workaday week. We collect the fragments of our failures; we gather our incomplete attempts. In the light of your gaze, we lift and shoulder them anew, shoulder them alongside you. Our burden becomes light, becomes gift for others and we become bearers of your grace.
Mar 29
Good Friday Stations of the Cross
Join us for WITNESSES ON THE WAY, an in-character, online, interactive Stations of the Cross. We will be adding new witnesses to those used during the Scribbles of Lent to create and pray the 14 Stations together. May we enter into this event with fresh eyes, the eyes and hearts of those who were there.
(We will need a minimum number of 24, so invite others to come with you).
$15.00 - $45.00
Responses from Readers...
For me, it was the history, making it real. - Sheila
Most excellent! I especially liked the links. The extra reading was fruitful. I learned depth on this moment in time. Thank you! The art moved me the most this week. It was a unique perspective to stand behind everyone in the picture and only see one face in the entirety. - Cari
I love what you are doing here! - Christine
I have enjoyed this week's Scribbles' offering. It is thought-provoking indeed. I really appreciated the whole presentation, i.e., the painting and explanation, the history and the links. Thank you for providing the known history of Pilate and his wife. I have always wondered about her and her dream...it is so fascinating that she had a dream! I wonder if it haunted her. I am surprised to learn that both of them are named saints in the Orthodox traditions. Wow! I think I like the midrash the most and the last sentence gave me chills...
And I fear for a world that would kill such a man.
We are still that world I fear. I love the closing prayer too. It is my prayer also. You have provided much to think about. Thank you! Looking forward to next week's reflection 🙂 - Nan
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