Chapter 69 Simon of Cyrene

On my way to the fields I saw him carrying a cross, followed by a crowd. So I also walked beside him. The weight of the cross made him stop several times because he was exhausted. At this moment, a Roman soldier approached me and said, "Come here, you are strong enough to carry this man's cross." When I heard this, I was very excited and moved.I carried his cross. The cross was heavy because it was made of aspen wood soaked in the winter rain. Jesus looked at me and said, "Would you like to drink this cup too? You will really drink from the rim of this cup with me."

While speaking, he put his hand on my empty shoulder.Let's go to Dice Mountain together. Now I no longer feel the weight of the cross, I only feel his hand on my shoulder, and I feel like a bird's wing has grown on my shoulder. We have come to the top of the hill where they will kill him. At this time, I felt the weight of the cross. He said nothing, did not grunt as the nails went into his hands and feet.His limbs did not tremble under the blow. His hands and feet seemed to be dead, and he could only be revived after being bathed in blood.At the same time, he seems to be seeking to be crucified, just like a prince seeking a scepter.He longs to be lifted up on high.It was not pity for him that was on my mind, for my mind was full of wonder.

Now the man for whom I crossed becomes my cross. If people say to me again, "Come and carry this man's cross," I will carry it till my path ends in the grave. But I also asked him to put his hand on my shoulder. This was many years ago.So far, whenever I walk along the furrows to the fields, whenever I feel drowsy, I often think of this lovely man. I feel his winged palm, right here, on my left shoulder.