So, here we are. Lent has ended; today is Holy Saturday.
Way back on Ash Wednesday, we talked about how the purpose of our Lenten sacrifices and practices is to be a better person on Easter Sunday than we were on Ash Wednesday.
So, how'd you do?
Well, if you are like most of us, not so great some days, better others.
Today is a quiet day liturgically. And it should be in our homes, too. Oh, there's the pre-work for the big Easter meal, last minute stuffers for the baskets, maybe a local Easter egg hunt. But if you get caught up in the bustle you are missing out on the significance of the day.
The tabernacles of the world are empty.
There are no grand Easter candles in their ornate holders.
The red sanctuary lamp is dark.
Even the holy water fonts are dry.
That first Holy Saturday was a day of confusion and profound sadness for the followers of Jesus Christ. And these physical signs are reminders of that. They spent the day recounting how they had failed as disciples. How they betrayed their teacher. How they had abandoned him when he needed them most.
Imagine how awful they felt. It shouldn't be difficult, because we do it all the time, don't we?
We fail as disciples when we can't answer basic questions about our faith. We betray Jesus Christ when we refuse to stand up for the most vulnerable among us. We abandon Christ when we refuse to worship - in the way he asks us to- the one who has given us the life we squander. And we fail miserably when we do not stand up for the teachings of the Lord, by which we have the opportunity to lead others to Christ.
We fail as disciples. Every. Single. Day.
Tonight, in churches around the world, Catholics will gather in darkness and light a fire. And they will ponder again the reason Jesus Christ had to come into this world- and the reason he had to die...because of the sins of each one of us, personally and individually. It is a staggering weight, knowing not only did Jesus Christ die for me- he died because of me.
But we have the advantage of hindsight, hindsight allows us to look forward with hope. We know the rest of the story.
Just as on Christmas Eve, the light spreads through the darkened church as the Light of the World is born- so, too, will our church's glow in the candlelight tonight as we listen to the story of our salvation and as we await the joyous news that the Lord has conquered sin and death by rising from the dead. We will witness people commit their lives to Jesus Christ- renewing our own faith. We will ring every bell in every church and proclaim to the world: Jesus Christ is risen today!
Sure, it's fun to get all dressed up on Easter morning...but the Easter Vigil Mass is the most glorious of the entire year. Don't miss it! In case you missed it, HERE are some great Holy Saturday ideas to put Christ into Easter.
May your Holy Saturday be fruitful and blessed... and your Easter be joyous!
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