THE SABBATH WAS BEGINNING TO GROW LIGHT

PRAYER MOMENT             

Holy Saturday, 19 April 2014

THE SABBATH WAS BEGINNING TO GROW LIGHT

Pause. Be silent at the tomb of Jesus

Reading: “Ir was Preparation day and the Sabbath was beginning to grow light.” (Luke 23:54)

Reflection. “Today there is a great silence over the earth, a great silence, and stillness, a great silence because the King sleeps; the earth was in terror and was still, because God slept in the flesh.” These are the words of an unknown ancient writer about this day, a day for silence – at least interiorly - and deep reflection. On the first Holy Saturday the disciples were terrified. “Are we next?” But every other Holy Saturday has been filled with expectancy. “The Sabbath was beginning to grow light.” Luke knows that terror will soon be replaced with “such joy they could not believe it” (24:41). Today is a day of interior stillness and great hope, a day of strength and quiet joy.

  

Prayer. Lord, thank you for this day of stillness in which we quietly wait in joy for the revelation of your strength, which is our strength. Amen.

David Harold-Barry SJ