Holy Saturday
April 3, 2021
Opening
My heart is humbled and drawn to silence as I meditate on the events of this week.
Reflection
Holy Saturday, often overlooked, is a holy day, the day Jesus lies in the tomb.
Darkness and grief, doubts and questions, wailing and mourning fill this day for Jesus’ followers. Let us not rush past it. Let us meditate on and worship the One whose love permeates every place, even the tomb.
Invitation
Prayerfully imagine that you are there as the story in scripture unfolds.
Enter the story slowly. Take it in through your senses.
What sounds capture your attention?
Can you smell the perfumed ointment and myrrh? What sights draw you in?
Gently, as you are able, try to take it in. Notice the grief around you and within.
Scripture: John 19:38-42
“Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.”
Prayer of Response
Loving, Compassionate One,
This day is filled with grief and such deep mourning!
Broken hearts, questions, and lost dreams,
fill and swirl around those who loved and followed you.
They did not yet know the life being born in darkness,
for Your love enters every place and space,
even the darkness of the tomb.
You know intimately the depth of grief and heartbreak
as you entered the grave for us.
There is nothing of our experience
you do not know, not even death.
You entered all the places we mourn,
as our tears were found on Your face.
As hard as this day is,
we need this day
to realize the expansiveness of your love
which reaches everywhere.
Let us keep vigil
even as we praise You most merciful God.
Rev. Eva Sullivan-Knoff,
Founder and Executive Director