Passerby

"They forced a passerby," Mark 15:21.

Who, they? Roman army soldiers executing the judgment from Jesus' second trial that day. They who, on their way to nail whim down, called in their whole battalion to have fun with him. They who costumed Jesus in purple as a fool king. They who twisted thorns into a crown. They who smashed the crown on his head. They who saluted the governor's fool. They who said: Have a good day, O Jewish King! They who beat his head with a cane. They who spit on him. They who knelt down in his mockery. They who led him to crucifixion. Yes. These, they. They forced the unluckiest guy passing by that day to carry Jesus' cross. Why this random guy? because friends abandoned him. These esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. Like the rest of us did.

We visit a brother or sister today in order to help each other bear our crosses with Jesus. And together we give thanks for God who, in all things, works for the good.