Downtrodden Christ
Downtrodden Christ, to you we pray
who at the third hour of the day
were led away and nailed up high
in naked shame beneath the sky:
Show through the pain that scars your face
the love of God, and man’s disgrace.
Uplifted Christ, to you we pray
who at the sixth hour of the day
took all our guilt upon that tree
in darkness, blood, and agony:
Look on our pride and unbelief,
grant us repentance and relief.
Outstretching Christ, to you we pray
who at the ninth hour of the day
alone dismissed your final breath
and opened heaven by your death:
Come to our dying world and reign,
that we with you may live again.
© Christopher Idle (b. 1938)