Commotion: A Reflective Prayer

The man at the corner across the way

kept pushing to the front, seemingly

always stuck behind someone.

He heard the commotion edging

toward him and then he saw

what he’d been waiting on.

The wooden beam was visible

one moment until it wasn’t. Then

there it was again. And gone.

Then everything stopped. Before

he knew it, the Cyrene was commandeered

by a Roman: “Help him carry this cross!”

He locked eyes with the Christ

but still didn’t realize the full gravity

of the situation. Then again, has anyone?

Help us, O Lord, like Simon to yearn

to see Jesus and to help bear the cross.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit. Amen.