Meditation 7: Holy Saturday
The Saturday just before Easter is often called "Holy Saturday" or "Easter Even". At the Wheatland Mission we have jokingly referred to it as Easter Saturday because of the fact that our congregation gathers for our regular worship gathering at that time. Easter Saturday, however, is the Saturday of Easter week one week from today. Holy Saturday is the last day of Holy Week.
This is the day that we commemorate Christ's time in the tomb. In the Phillipines this time is called "Black Saturday", a reference to the grim and somber nature of the day. In the Roman Catholic Church the eucharist, the Lord's Supper, is not to be taken except by those who are in extreme circumstances such as being near death. It is the only day of the year when it is forbidden. In the Book of Common Prayer from which many of the prayers in this series have come has only one prayer and a handful of Scripture readings set aside for this day. Like the Catholics there is to be no communion on this day. This is in stark contrast to every other day of this week where there are numerous Scripture readings and prayer.
This is all to highlight the incredibly important meaning behind this day. It is a day of continued grief, reflection and preparation for the celebration of Christ's resurrection.
It is also a day to be reminded that Jesus really did die.
In yesterday's post we were encouraged "don't forget to grieve". Grief, true sadness and heaviness of heart, is an appropriate response to the historical realities of Good Friday. Something dreadful happened. Not only did an innocent man die but the most innocent of men died. Yet further, the innocent man died because of our guilt. We grieve his death. We grieve the necessity of his death. We grieve our responsibility in his death.
Observing Holy Week is valuable for many reasons. Let me reiterate one important reason to observe Holy Week: it keeps us from being ambushed, surprised by the Easter event. Too often we busily go through our days and weeks giving little thought to the fact that Jesus was a real human being who suffered a real human death. I wonder if we don't avoid it. Holy Week takes us through the gambit of thoughts and emotions that are related to the life, death and resurrection of Christ.
During this week we go from jubilation on Sunday and the Triumphal Entry to sorrow and despair by Friday. Holy Saturday is a day of sorrow and followed by a day of joy. However, keep this thought in mind. The sorrow that we experience on Maunday Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday is not replaced with the joy of Easter. Instead our sorrow is transformed into joy. Pay attention to the difference. Living in the journey with Jesus means just that. We are "with" him in the midst of all kinds of life's experiences. The good and the bad. Participating in his life doesn't mean we that we are immune to pain and suffering but that our pain and suffering are transformed by him. In much the same way...the pain and sorrow of Holy Saturday is overwhelmed and transformed through the joy of the resurrection.
the question
How does the humanity of Jesus enable you to feel the love of God?
the prayer
O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reighns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
the psalm
Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
Lord, hear my voice.Let your ears be attentiveto my cry for mercy.
If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lordmore than watchmen wait for the morning,more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Israel, put your hope in the Lord,for with the Lord is unfailing loveand with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.
This is the day that we commemorate Christ's time in the tomb. In the Phillipines this time is called "Black Saturday", a reference to the grim and somber nature of the day. In the Roman Catholic Church the eucharist, the Lord's Supper, is not to be taken except by those who are in extreme circumstances such as being near death. It is the only day of the year when it is forbidden. In the Book of Common Prayer from which many of the prayers in this series have come has only one prayer and a handful of Scripture readings set aside for this day. Like the Catholics there is to be no communion on this day. This is in stark contrast to every other day of this week where there are numerous Scripture readings and prayer.
This is all to highlight the incredibly important meaning behind this day. It is a day of continued grief, reflection and preparation for the celebration of Christ's resurrection.
It is also a day to be reminded that Jesus really did die.
In yesterday's post we were encouraged "don't forget to grieve". Grief, true sadness and heaviness of heart, is an appropriate response to the historical realities of Good Friday. Something dreadful happened. Not only did an innocent man die but the most innocent of men died. Yet further, the innocent man died because of our guilt. We grieve his death. We grieve the necessity of his death. We grieve our responsibility in his death.
Observing Holy Week is valuable for many reasons. Let me reiterate one important reason to observe Holy Week: it keeps us from being ambushed, surprised by the Easter event. Too often we busily go through our days and weeks giving little thought to the fact that Jesus was a real human being who suffered a real human death. I wonder if we don't avoid it. Holy Week takes us through the gambit of thoughts and emotions that are related to the life, death and resurrection of Christ.
During this week we go from jubilation on Sunday and the Triumphal Entry to sorrow and despair by Friday. Holy Saturday is a day of sorrow and followed by a day of joy. However, keep this thought in mind. The sorrow that we experience on Maunday Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday is not replaced with the joy of Easter. Instead our sorrow is transformed into joy. Pay attention to the difference. Living in the journey with Jesus means just that. We are "with" him in the midst of all kinds of life's experiences. The good and the bad. Participating in his life doesn't mean we that we are immune to pain and suffering but that our pain and suffering are transformed by him. In much the same way...the pain and sorrow of Holy Saturday is overwhelmed and transformed through the joy of the resurrection.
the question
How does the humanity of Jesus enable you to feel the love of God?
the prayer
O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reighns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
the psalm
Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
Lord, hear my voice.Let your ears be attentiveto my cry for mercy.
If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lordmore than watchmen wait for the morning,more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Israel, put your hope in the Lord,for with the Lord is unfailing loveand with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.
posted by The Wheatland Mission @ 8:25 PM
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