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Brandon J. Hudson
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Station V: The Cross Is Laid on
Simon of Cyrene
(from The Stations of the Cross series)
Oil on canvas
As
Episcopalians, we are challenged by our Baptismal Covenant to "seek
and serve Christ in all persons," and to "respect the dignity of
every human being." (Book of Common Prayer p. 305) It is one thing
to seek and serve our Lord Christ in the faces of those around us,
but another thing entirely to seek and serve Jesus our Brother.
Do I
serve my Lord only out of a sense of duty, or do I actively engage
my neighbors open-heartedly, leading from a place of love? Jesus
told us to take up our crosses and follow Him, but am I too
concerned with my own cross to notice the heavy burdens shouldered
by others? Simon of Cyrene was given the task of carrying Jesus'
cross for Him when fatigue and pain had stopped our Lord in his
tracks. Do I see the suffering of Jesus my Brother in the lives of
those who are struggling and downtrodden right in front of me? Am I
ready to help to bear their crosses for His sake?
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