Ave Maria Meditations
We are here on earth to help to carry the cross of Christ, the Christ hidden in other human beings, and to help in whatever way we can. We may, like Simon, have literally a strong arm to give, we may help to do hard work; we may have material goods to give; we may have time, which we desperately want for ourselves but which we must sacrifice for Christ. We may have only suffering. Suffering is the most precious coin of all. Suffering of body, suffering of mind, paid down willingly for Christ in man, enables Him to carry His redeeming cross through the world to the end of time…
There is no exception from the love of Christ in one another, or from sharing the cross. There is no moment when, if we meet one whose burden is too heavy, we may delay in helping to carry it. It is not for those who are good alone to help Christ; it is most of all for sinners, for the weak, the hesitating; even the selfish, to force themselves to take up the cross; and then the cross of Christ, even those who seem to be lost find salvation and joy. Every day, hidden under our sins, abject in His need, Christ says to the sinners who put out a hand or speak a word to help Him: “This day you shall be with Me in paradise!”
+Caryll Houselander from the Way of the Cross
