Sixth Station

The first lines of William Blake’s poem, Auguries of Innocence are: “To see a World in a Grain of Sand, And a Heaven in a Wild Flower…” This is a poet’s way of inviting people to slow down to see the mystery of the world which is as close as what they hold in their hands. In recent weeks humanitarian leaders, news outlets, and politicians have invited our collective culture to slow to see the humanity of those in harm’s way in Ukraine. Some religious leaders have even suggested that Stations of the Cross can be adapted to pray for those in war.

A Woman Wipes the Face of Jesus

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

We have seen him without beauty or majesty, with no looks to attract our eyes. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised, and we esteemed him not. His appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of men. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed.

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts: Show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

Let us pray.

Of God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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