Waiting in Hopeful Expectation

Once the Good Friday liturgy is completed, the next liturgical celebration is the Easter vigil celebration on Holy Saturday after sunset. The Church keeps all day Holy Saturday aside to reflect upon the mystery of Christ’s death. The Church, and indeed the whole earth maintain a deep silence. The Son of God sleeps within the earth. He enters the nether world to bring salvation to those of God’s righteous who stand in need of God’s once and for all redemption. The power of the redeeming death of Jesus must reach every corner of God’s creation. The gospels give us some information about the events that took place between Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. The gospel of John tells us that two disciples of Jesus, Joseph and Arimathea and Nicodemus helped with the burial rituals. Joseph of Arimathea had all along followed Jesus “secretly” for fear of the Jews (Jn 19:38). Nicodemus, a Pharisee, had “at night” come to Jesus very early in his ministry to inquire from Jesus about be saved (Jn 3:1). By the end of the gospel, both these men have come out into the open. Joseph petitioned Pilate and helped remove Jesus’ body from the cross. Nicodemus brought a hundred pounds of aloes and myrrh and helped with Jesus’ burial. Matthew, Mark and Luke all mention that Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene and some other women were also present at the burial. These men and women stay close to Jesus in his darkest moment.

While Holy Saturday, for most people becomes a day of hectic activity in preparation for Easter, Holy Saturday is day to be spent in “hopeful mourning.” Remember, one day, we have to confront our own death and burial. That is the “existential holy Saturday” of every person’s life. To make our own holy Saturday meaningful, we are now invited to be like Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, Mary, Mary Magdalene and those other brave men and women and identify with Jesus, his death and burial.

With all of creation, with all God’s holy ones, with all Jesus friends, we wait… in hopeful expectation.

Fr. Satish Joseph