do you carry the Cross of another?

In the headlines here yesterday: a 29 year old woman set herself on fire after seeing news reports of her crime on TV. When her baby was a mere 6 weeks old, she was charged with two counts of manslaughter in the death of her 3-week-old son last November 2011. She allegedly drank vodka before falling asleep on the couch with her baby.
The medical examiner's report concluded the baby suffocated. The case gained national attention last month when it was featured on HLN network's Nancy Grace TV talk show. Nancy Grace dubbed Toni Medrano "the Vodka mom" and poured shots of vodka throughout the segment.

(Read more: http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/18982073/cottage-grove-mom-charged-in-babys-death-sets-herself-on-fire#ixzz20ITR95zg)

 

Now...after reading this, what would your reaction be? Here is mine:  for Nancy Grace to report it: isn't that what "news" is all about? However, to go so far as to pour shots of vodka while doing so goes beyond the scope of professional journalism and steps into sensationalism. Yes, this "mom" had addiction issues that her baby paid the price for. Why make the shame even worse, however,  by sensational reporting? Grace should be ashamed of herself. Unfortunately she is probably thinking, "One less scum for life to have to deal with!" For shame...Jesus would NOT have reacted in this way either!

"Simon of Cyrene was forced to help our exhausted Savior carry His Cross. How pleased would Jesus have been, had Simon offered his services of his own accord. However, Simon was not invited by Christ as you are. He says: "Take up your cross and follow Me." Nevertheless you recoil, and carry it grudgingly. O Jesus, whosoever does not take up his cross and follow Thee, is not worthy of Thee. Behold, I cheerfully join Thee on the way of the cross. I desire to carry it with all patience until death, that I may prove worthy of Thee." (the Fifth Station of the Cross)

 

 

 

Addiction is all around us. Some have it under control, some even for years! Congratulations and continued good luck. For others, it is a daily struggle, a fight to the finish that is usually lost. Imagine yourself with a fifty pound weight on your back, dragging it everywhere for all to see. You're tired, you're frustrated, yet you try to slough it off to no avail. Does it help for someone to push you down even more? Think of Jesus carrying His Cross and how many times did He fall? And who helped Him after the third time? Simon of Cyrene. He didn't question it, he just did what needed doing, though he was asked to.

We are all called to help....not condemn! Instead of looking at the ugly side of life with our noses in the air, step into those repugnant shoes of one who hurts. Feel their struggles and be of some encouragement. Please. Even that little bit can make a huge difference.