ACC ~ Luke 23 v26 - 27

SIMON RECEIVES THE BURDEN OF THE CROSS FOR JESUS

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: After he took up the wood of his cross and set out, they found and stopped a man of Cyrene, that is, from among the Gentiles, and placed the wood of the cross on him. It was only right that they should have given the wood of the cross voluntarily to the Gentiles, since in their rebellion, the Jews rejected the coming of him who was bringing all blessings. In rejecting it themselves, in their jealousy, they threw it away to the Gentiles. They rejected it in their jealousy, and the Gentiles received it, to their even greater jealousy. The Lord approved the welcoming Gentiles and thus provoked jealousy among their contemporaries through the Gentiles’ acceptance. By carrying the wood of his cross himself, Christ revealed the sign of his victory. Christ said that another person would not pressure him into death. “I have power over my life, to lay it down or to take it up again.” [1] Why should another person have carried the cross? This showed that he, in whom no sin could be found, went up on the cross for those who rejected him. COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 20.20. [2]

[1] Jn 10:18.

[2] ECTD 304**.

LIKE ISAAC, JESUS CARRIES WOOD TO THE PLACE OF SACRIFICE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: When blessed Abraham went up the mountain that God showed him so that he might sacrifice Isaac according to God’s command, he laid the wood on the boy. Isaac was a type of Christ carrying his own cross on his shoulders and going up to the glory of his passion. Christ taught us that his passion was his glory. He said, “Now is the Son of man glorified, and in him God is glorified; if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.” [1] COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 152. [2]

[1] Jn 13:31.

[2] CGSL 606**.