HOLY SATURDAY – ‘Jesus is buried’
BREATHE
Calm your head, heart, and hands as you slowly breathe in . . . and out.
Collect for the day
God our Father, we have been baptized into the death of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ: grant that buried with him we may pass through the grave and gate of death and enter the joy of Christ’s resurrection.
Amen
Read: Mark 15: 40-47
Wonder
When Jesus was alive, Joseph of Arimathea was afraid to tell others he was a follower of Jesus. But after Jesus died, Joseph asked Pilate if he could bury Jesus’ body. Why did Joseph want to do this for Jesus?
How do you think Joseph was feeling as Jesus was buried? Where do you think the other disciples were on this day? How do you think they were feeling?
Jesus’ death reminds us that our time on earth is finite. As we contemplate the mystery of our death, how can we prepare our hearts to receive the Good News of life?
Pray
Eternal God,
teach us that, with you, in endings there are always new beginnings;
that in the seeming finality of death lies the gateway to your eternal kingdom.
Amen
Meditative Moment
After Jesus’s death on Friday, Joseph of Arimathea claimed Jesus’s body from Pilate, wrapped it in linens, and placed it in the tomb. The next evening, after the Sabbath was ended, Jesus’s women disciples came to the tomb with the spices used to preserve bodies; they were there to perform their last service for their fallen Lord (Matthew 27:57 – 28:1; Mark 15:42 – 16:2; Luke 23:50 – 24:1; John 19:38 – 20:1). Christina Rossetti pays tribute to these faithful women who keep their vigil. Although the last stanza hints at what will happen shortly, the poem does not rush to that joyful moment but rather remains intently in the interval in which “Our Master lies asleep.”
Mary Magdalene and The Other Mary; A Song For All Maries
CHRISTINA ROSSETTI 1888
Our Master lies asleep and is at rest: His Heart has ceased to bleed, His Eye to weep:
The sun ashamed has dropt down in the west: Our Master lies asleep.
Now we are they who weep, and trembling keep Vigil, with wrung heart in a sighing breast, While slow time creeps, and slow the shadows creep.
Renew Thy youth, as eagle from the nest; O Master, who hast sown, arise to reap: –
No cock-crow yet, no flush on eastern crest: Our Master lies asleep.
“To make of his story something that could neither startle, nor shock, nor terrify, nor excite, nor inspire a living soul is to crucify the Son of God afresh.” Dorothy L Sayers
Where do we seek courage and wisdom to proclaim the gospel in its fullness?
Holy Saturday
Something else to do:
Baked Wraps
- cups cooked grilled chicken breasts chopped (seasoned with your favourite spices)
1/4 cup mayonnaise or your favourite dressing
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup coriander minced (optional)
12cm tortillas
- Lay tortillas on a clean flat surface. Place about 1/2 cup chicken, 1 tablespoon ranch, 2 tablespoons of cheese, and 1 tablespoon of minced coriander on each tortilla. Fold tightly to form a burrito shape.
- Heat a heavy-duty pan or grill to medium heat. Coat with a light layer or oil or cooking spray and cook wraps for 1-2 minutes on each side or until the tortilla is crispy and golden. Remove from heat, slice in half and serve immediately.
As you prepare the wraps, think about some of the things you lose when somebody dies.