As Jesus was carrying his cross out of Jerusalem to the place of
execution, a man named Simon of Cyrene was coming in (M 27:32; P
15:21; L 23:26), and the soldiers compelled him to carry the cross of
Jesus. (The word Angareuo (Greek Gamma Gamma corresponds to English Ng as
in "finger"), here used for "compel," is a technical one, perhaps better
translated "impress", and referring to the legal right of a soldier to
require a provincial to carry his gear one mile for him. The word occurs
in the New Testament only here and in Matthew
5:41.) Mark calls him "the father of Alexander and Rufus" without further
explanation, apparently taking it for granted that his readers would all
know who Rufus and Alexander are. The Christian writer Papias (died
around 130) tells us that Mark originally wrote his Gospel for the
Christian community in Rome. This suggests that Alexander and Rufus were
well known to, and probably part of, the Christian congregation in Rome.
Very possibly their father Simon had himself become a Christian, though
this must remain conjecture.
Heavenly Father, whose most dear Son, as He walked the way of
the Cross, accepted the service of Simon of Cyrene to carry his
physical burden for him: mercifully grant unto each of us the
grace that we may gladly bear one another's burdens, for the
love of him who said, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the
least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me," even the
same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who now liveth and reigneth
with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever.
Heavenly Father, whose most dear Son, as He walked the way of The Cross, accepted the service of Simon of Cyrene to carry his physical burden for him: grant us each the grace gladly to bear one another's burdens, for the love of him who said, "As you did it to the least of these my brethren, you did it to me," your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.