The Day After: Holy Saturday

 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. – John 19:41

If you’ve ever lost someone close to you, you know that there is a period following that loss when it still hasn’t sunk in that you will no longer see this person. You start replaying the last few days in your head, remembering some of the last things that were spoken.

On this Saturday, the disciples and friends of Jesus were in shock. The events of the last week were surreal. On Sunday Jesus enters into Jerusalem as a “king” with the approval and praise of thousands of people. Five days later he’s abandoned. He was executed as a common criminal for the crime of… spreading love and harmony as the path to God. It must have been so confusing for his followers, as it is to us, two-thousand years later.

The Hope had died in their witness.

Those at the foot of the Cross, surely remembered the haunting last words of Jesus.

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. Even after being barbarically beaten and left to die, He forgives.

I say to you, today you shall be with me in paradise. Even in His agony His love was directed to others.

Woman, behold your son! The Blessed Mother must have reflected on the 33 years of miracles and amazement, and now it had come to an end.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Jesus taught us to rely on our Heavenly Father, and now, in His hour of need, had God forgotten him?

I thirst. The One who offered living waters that would satisfy any thirst, was now exclaiming his thirst.

It is finished. There was a purpose for all that happened.

Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit!

On this Holy Saturday, on the road to Resurrection, the question that comes to us, a question which you, and you alone, can answer: Not knowing what tomorrow brings, what is your take-away from all that happened over these past few days, the days we call Holy Week?

Tomorrow: The Empty Grave