The ancient homily on Holy Saturday states: “What is happening? There is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.”
Holy Saturday is a little like the eye of a hurricane. We just experienced the intense drama of Holy Thursday and Good Friday and now we await the outpouring of joy of easter. The opening line of that ancient homily really sums it up well, “what is happening?” It’s quiet, but we know something is coming, and we know something is happening behind the scenes.
Today is a strange day because the whole day seems to be holding its breath in anticipation of the liturgical celebration of the Easter Vigil. What should we do with ourselves? We’ll if you’re here, you’re off to a good start. I invite you to pray the other hours throughout the day. The Office of Readings containing that beautiful ancient homily, midday prayer. Pray evening prayer before coming up to church this evening. Each of these liturgical hours seems to resonate with that same anticipation.
So many of the Psalms speak of the victory that is ratified by the Resurrection of Christ, the overthrow of enemies, the defeat of sin and death, the triumph of life.
We even had a little foretaste of Easter joy in the third of the Psalms this morning, Psalm 150, the most joyful of all the psalms, the soul praising God, busting out all of the musical instruments at his disposal, calling all of creation, everything that lives and breaths to give praise to God. It’s a great day for Psalms.
It’s also a great day for baking, baking something sweet, something delicious to be shared with others. Bake something and give it to a neighbor. “I’m celebrating Easter, and I baked you this because I thought of you. Perhaps you’d like to join me for church tomorrow.” That first Holy Saturday was a day that was turned upside-down for the disciples, perhaps an upside-down cake is in order.
Also, not a bad day to visit the graves of loved ones. As Christ was laid in the tomb, so have our loved ones. But, just as we await the celebration of Christ’s resurrection tonight, we await the resurrection of our loved ones. Not a bad day for visiting their graves to say, see you soon, and to offer a prayer for them.
“What is happening?” The ancient homily concludes telling us what is happening in heaven today: “The cherubim throne has been prepared, the bearers are ready and waiting, the bridal chamber is in order, the food is provided, the everlasting houses and rooms are in readiness; the treasures of good things have been opened; the kingdom of heaven has been prepared before the ages." Heaven is on the verge of into our world with light and glory, may we prepare our hearts to witness it, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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