Why me?

Reflection on reading Matthew 27:32.

“As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross.”

Why me?

There I was, hiding in the crowd.
So many people, pressing on all sides.

There I was, watching the spectacle.
So many cheering, so many stretching for a better view.

There I was, so close, too close.
Caught up with the others in a place I didn’t want to be.

There I was, suddenly singled out.

Why are they looking at me?
Why are they calling to me?
Why did they choose me?

There I was, forced into participation.
So many eyes, now fixed on me.

There I was, carrying His cross.
Were they now cheering for me?

There I was, so close I could see Him,
Dripping with sweat,
Mixed with blood.

There I was, chosen to drag the very tool
That would bring death to this bleeding Man.

Why me?
Why did He chose me to carry a cross?

There I was, so close to Him,
So close to His suffering,
As we walked up that hill,
There I was, chosen to know Him in His sufferings.