Sunday 3/29/15

This gospel, at the beginning of Passion Week, contains it all. It is ugly. Christ is tortured and murdered in a horrible way that engendered the word "excruciating."
The description is harrowing. And it is as critical of Man and his institutions as any biblical writing. Christ is abandoned by His friends, ignored by His family, condemned by government, vilified by the people and their organizers. He is even mocked by the criminals crucified with Him.
Strangely, on the Via Dolorosa, He is helped  by Simon of Cyrene who is pressed by the Romans to assist Christ in His carrying the cross. Cyrene is in Libya in northern Africa. It was a Greek colony with a sizable Jewish community.
Simon is by no means a volunteer; he seems at best a neutral observer. Abandoned by everyone, Christ is helped at last by a reluctant stranger, in a way the ultimate default wedding guest.

Redemption 

By George Herbert  

Having been tenant long to a rich lord,

    Not thriving, I resolvèd to be bold,

    And make a suit unto him, to afford

A new small-rented lease, and cancel th’ old.

In heaven at his manor I him sought;

    They told me there that he was lately gone

    About some land, which he had dearly bought

Long since on earth, to take possessiòn.

I straight returned, and knowing his great birth,

    Sought him accordingly in great resorts;

    In cities, theaters, gardens, parks, and courts;

At length I heard a ragged noise and mirth

         

    Of thieves and murderers; there I him espied,

    Who straight, Your suit is granted, said, and died.