This is VLX number 161, The Caring of the Cross. We are in St. Matthew, chapter 27, verses 32 to 34.

VLX stands for Video Lexio Divina, the patristic Bible study and Ignatian prayer series online.

God give you his peace in nominipati, Sipidi, it's bidi Tusi Tusi, amen.

God, our Lord, we ask the grace that all of our intentions, actions, and operations be directed

purely to the service and praise of your divine majesty.

In nominate, Patri, Sifidi, it's bidi Tusi Tusi, amen.

As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name.

They compelled this man to carry his cross.

And when they came to a place called Gagatha, which means place of the skull,

they offered him wine to drink mixed with Gaul,

but when he tasted it,

he would not drink it. Thus are the words of the Holy Gospel. Now, because we heard the words his and he in there a few times, I'm just going to repeat today's gospel, making it clear when it's

referring to Christ versus Simon of Cyrene. As they went out, they found a man of Syrene. Simon by name,

they compelled this man to carry Christ's cross.

And when they came to a place called Gagotha, which means place of a skull,

they offered Christ wine to drink mixed with Gaul, but when Christ tasted it, Christ would not drink it.

I'm sure most of you probably knew who that was referring to, but it's just good to clarify.

Today we're going to look at Father Lopje a lot because he has some very excellent historical insights for us.

The first thing we're going to consider is the Simon of

Cyrene. Where is Cyrene? Well, only one of three possible places, according to the ancient

scripture scholars would say it's in Libya. That's what I always thought. And we're going to see that

is one of the very likely possibilities. But Fagalapide says the three possibilities are Libya and Syria and the

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