Ninth Station

The U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy Smith sees God in strange places, like in David Bowie. Why is it harder for some to see God in Jesus than in pop culture? Perhaps it is because many have found love and transformation in unexpected places, like in pop stars, while hearing narrow views of grace in houses of prayer. May Stations of the Cross invite us to walk the path of Christ.

Jesus Falls a Third Time

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of his wrath; he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light. He has besieged me and enveloped me with bitterness and tribulation; he has made me dwell in darkness like the dead of long ago. Though I call and cry for help, he shuts out my prayer. He has made my teeth grind on gravel, and made me cower in ashes. “Remember, O Lord, my affliction and bitterness, the wormwood and the gall!”

He was led like a lamb to the slaughter: And like a sheep that before its shearers is mute, so he opened not his mouth.

Let us pray.

O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen,

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy upon us.