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Station 5

Image of Station 5

They Rest in the Garden of Stone, oil on aluminium, 80 x 185cm (triptych) [each individual panel is 80 x 60cm]. Photographer: Aliesha Mafrici.

Christ’s contact with the stranger ‘Simon of Cyrene’ signifies a narrative of burden—a burden of both mind and body transferred from one individual to the next.

When exploring this idea, I focused on key roles within such an exchange. As these roles are carried out (either through choice or obligation), the individuals within this exchange have the opportunity to grow stronger or weaker from their experiences.

It is in this Station that Simon gains strength by relieving Christ of his burden, receiving the gift of faith after his experiences that day, while those issuing such a punishment gained nothing. By either issuing burden onto others or upon ourselves, we have the opportunity to perceive a burden as a challenge, identifying what can be gained from our dealings with hardship.

As a reinterpretation of this narrative without obvious Christian iconography, this work functions as a discussion beyond a biblical context and explores the notion that adversity may yield unexpected rewards.

Meditation

Simon from Cyrene,
Father of Alexander and Rufus,
what a tale you had to tell your children!
You helped Jesus,
you gave Him your strength on the streets of Jerusalem.
Willing or unwilling
you, Simon, have become part of His story,
and He part of yours,
for you helped Him
when He needed you.
What would we give to be Simon?

© Ruth Burgess and Chris Polhill
Eggs and Ashes: Practical & liturgical resources for Lent and Holy Week. 

Station Information

  • Year: 2017
  • Station Number 5
  • Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
  • Exhibitor Harrison See

Reading

On their way through Jerusalem they met a man named Simon, who was coming into the city from the country, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross.

Mark 15:21

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