Black Saturday

"They took down the body of Jesus... and laid him in a tomb." (Luke 23:53)

Holy Saturday has been called "Black" because Christians are asked to reflect on this line from the creed "He descended into the dead (Sheol)..." Jesus spent three days in Sheol until He was risen from the dead. We are asked then to "keep vigil" before the tomb of the Lord, in the company of Our Lady, the apostles and the women who ministered to Jesus when he was still alive.

Holy Saturday is a day of paradoxes. We are in grief for the fact that Jesus died. Yet we are strengthened by His promise of rising again. Holy Saturday then is the day of "in-between," hence, black. We are immersed in grief, yet in the midst of this grief, is a certain joy, a joy springing from hope.

Let us pray then, as we keep vigil before the Lord's tomb, for the grace of HOPE. That despite the many tragedies and disheartening moments in life, we may remain steadfast in hope, a hope rooted in the Lord, the Lord who restored hope to this world.

Have a hope-filled Holy Saturday.