twisted

“They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him.” Mark 15:17 (NIV)

“A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.”  Mark 15:21 (NIV)

Simon is carrying the cross for Jesus, and Jesus will carry Simon’s sins while on that cross.  I’m struck by the beauty, cruel as it is, of the symbiosis between Simon and Jesus in this scene.  Swirling, tornadic beauty that both men are now swept up together in — even “twisted together” in as the crown of thorns was twisted together, but this twisting together is not one of mockery but of shared life and love.  I feel inspired by this beauty, this life and love.  I am in awe.

Thank you, Holy Father, for your beauty and love — for the many ways that you take the worst of humanity and turn it into the very best.  Only you can do that.  I am amazed by you, in awe of you and thankful for how you reveal yourself to me when I need it most.  I’m so grateful that you are good to me and to all that you’ve created.

Amen!