Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross

Jesus carries his cross to Calvary, meeting his mother and others along the way.

Scripture: Luke 23:26-32

As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’ At that time people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?”

Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed.

Meditation: Jesus embraces his cross and teaches us to embrace ours. Simon helps carry the cross, showing us to help one another.

Fruit of the Mystery: Patience