Many of you will be reading this on Friday afternoon/evening, or on Saturday, after the Good Friday service has concluded but before the first celebrations of Easter. It is a strange time, a liminal space, a deep pause. We are soaked in the awful and terrible story of the crucifixion, and we try to sit with our grief. But of course we have walked this road many times before, and we know that the sorrow and fear and trauma do not get the last word.
When confronted with an uncomfortable array of feelings, what better response than to pray? I encourage you to find the service for Holy Saturday in your Book of Common Prayer (https://www.bcponline.org) on page 283. It is a very simple service consisting solely of prayers and recommended readings.
And then I suggest you find some time to sit in quiet stillness. Just let all the conflicting feelings about Jesus’ story, and about the events of our world and the challenges of your life, just BE. Resist the urge to find resolution, to make a plan, to jump up and accomplish something ― at least for a few minutes. Just let go of your thoughts, let go of your feelings, and simply be still. Simply BE.
Let yourself rest in the stillness for a good while. Then, when you’re ready, go about the rest of your day.
May we all have a blessed and deep Holy Saturday, in preparation for a most joyous Easter!
