Holy Saturday

Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. John 19:38-42

Holy Saturday

O God of the living and the dead
be near to us as we bury in haste
cautious and fearful in this time
when pandemic has ruled us.

All traditions and ancient rituals
the comfort of families gathered
the routines which give us peace
have all been laid to waste now.

The images of mass graves
filling day by day with coffins
haunt us as solitary we wait
for the stone to be rolled away.

Dear Lord we need an infusion
of angels, miracles and hope
fill us now with faith enough
to see the bright Easter sunrise. Amen