Who do we resemble on "The Ascent to Calvary."

The most frescoed basilica in Rome is the Basilica of San Vitale al Quirinale, it was built around 400 ad. ; it has been restored several times.  Above the altar in the apse, is a fresco of Jesus's fall carrying the cross, and of Simon of Cyrene, perhaps reluctantly taking it, as it states in the gospels "they made him carry it".  The artist, Andrea Commodi, is making a few powerful statements by replacing Simon's identity with the face of Satan.

When we are reluctant to carry the cross, we resemble Satan; who protests God and His plan which through love, suffering and mercy, lifts mankind to divinity, through Christ and through those in communion with Christ: the faithful of mankind.  It can be said that all sin is the echoing of Satan's "I will not serve".  A refusal of carrying one's cross is also a rejecting of God's will.  So it follows that when we refuse to carry the cross we resemble Satan, as depicted in this painting.

Another and perhaps more powerful point this image delivers: when Jesus knew His torn body could not complete the journey to Calvary, He compels Satan to contribute, by carrying the cross, which will be the remedy to the Fall of every man.  In this idea, the artist, Andrea Commodi, is showing us how The Blessed Lord can use everything, including evil to bring about a greater good,  even the greatest good: The Redemption of the world!