As we continue to reflect on the stations of the cross, the next two stations name a person who brought aid to Jesus on His way to Calvary. Including their names helps us to connect with them so that we can follow their example.

The fifth station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry His cross

The three synoptic Gospels all mention Simon helping Jesus to carry the cross. However, each also indicates that the Roman soldiers pressed Simon into helping Jesus. We can deduce a few things about the situation. First, Jesus must have been so weak that the soldiers were concerned Jesus wouldn’t make it all the way to Calvary. If Jesus had died on the way, it would have been not only tragic, but also not the result that would have pleased the Jewish leaders and crowd who had called for His death. Nor could it have been used as a deterrent of criminal behavior for those entering Jerusalem. Another point we can glean is Jesus’ acceptance of the assistance. While it was only His death that could have and does restore our relationship with God, nevertheless, Jesus was in need of assistance, and He received it by what seemed to be an unwilling person.

If you attempt to look at the circumstances from Simon’s perspective, the Roman soldiers were singling him out of the crowd. I would expect one of his reactions to be, “Why me?” Secondly, only criminals were executed on the cross. They were expecting Simon to aid a criminal and, in some respects, to potentially be mistaken as a criminal. Simon considered himself an innocent man, so why should he help anyone in those circumstances? What we don’t know is how Simon felt when he reached Calvary. Did Simon continue to begrudge the aid to a condemned criminal? Or did he realize the unique opportunity he was given in the salvation of the world? A hint that everything changed for him is in the Gospel of Mark, when the author references the names of Simon’s sons. It’s almost as if Mark is saying to those at that time that they can confirm what took place by consulting the source’s family. (Mk 15:21)

The sixth station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

It is more from tradition than scripture reference that we know Veronica’s name. While Simon had to be coerced by the Roman soldiers to help Jesus carry the cross, Veronica’s actions were the opposite. She defied the Roman soldiers, making them stop or at least slow down for a brief few seconds, in order to be able to wipe the face of Jesus. She saw a need and willingly reached out to bring a moment of respite to Jesus. The action may not seem like much, and may appear rather pointless, since He was being led to His death, but Veronica still risked her life to recognize the dignity Jesus had as a man. 

At that time, a respectable woman wore a veil. The tradition that Veronica wiped the face of Jesus with her veil gives the indication that this was totally spontaneous and outside the social norm. It was probably the only thing she had to use, that she could use, to effect this small act of kindness. Did she think about how those around her would be shocked to see her without her veil? Which was the greater scandal: using her veil or cleaning the face of a condemned criminal? Neither way would make her popular amongst the people and yet she did it anyway. In a way, Veronica gave up a piece of herself; her aid was a sacrifice. 

Simon and Veronica each rendered help to Jesus during His way to Calvary. Each approached the effort from different perspectives, yet both are remembered each time the Stations of the Cross are prayed. Let their assistance be a model for us to follow in this Lenten season.