The Fifth Station -- Simeon Helps Carry the Cross

He shall receive a blessing for the Lord;
 and mercy from God his Savior.  Ps. 23:5

For Our Lord, stumbling, a man was called.
 When do we our neighbor’s cross volunteer
To carry?  Is it charity we fear?
 A distance the sacred wood Simon hauled,
But for further labor he balked and stalled.
 The cries of the rabble incited fear;
The gruesome top of Golgotha was near.
 Then Simon left Our Savior bruised and mauled.
Fierce emotions filled the sacred way’s crowd:
 Shocks of anger, hatred, pity, sadness.
What sense would our inmost thoughts have allowed?
 Would we forsake him, skulk off in darkness?

What hardens our hearts to neighbors’ travails?
  Over all Our Lord's charity prevails.