Saturday of Holy Week

“And Yet.” 
 
Scripture:
There came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. - Matthew 27:57-60
Holy anticipation:
Today we reflect on Jesus’ final act of humanity: being laid lovingly in Joseph’s family plot. Wrapped in cloths and placed in a niche carved into the stone to protect his body from scavengers. Just the way people there had been doing for tens of thousands of years. Just the way they had been doing since they were people.  And then, after this loving act over Jesus' body -  Joseph from Arimathea 'went away'.  What did he do next?  What did Mary do next?  What did the disciples do next?  Yes, they grieved - but they also waited.
Holy Saturday is a day of waiting.
Pope Benedict XVI wrote: 
To be sure, it was not Easter Sunday but Holy Saturday, but, the more I reflect on it, the more this seems to be fitting for the nature of our human life: we are still awaiting Easter; we are not yet standing in the full light but walking toward it full of trust.― Pope Benedict XVI  

Are you still waiting for Easter?
Are you still waiting for God to change the world?
Or, are you walking toward the full light, full of trust, and doing your part to be the change that God wants?

Spiritual Practice
As you wait in Holy Anticipation this day, take time to make a list of things that you will do  as new life surges.

Is there someone that you can actively befriend with maybe as little as a phone call a week?
Could you buy a couple of extra cans of food each time you shop to give to a foodbank?
Could you volunteer to clean up someone's garden?
Could you clean your closets and donate clothes to a thrift store?
Could you make a donation to a charity?
Could you volunteer somewhere?

As you make your list, reflect on the words from this song based on the words of St Teresa of Avila  Video: Christ has no body now but yours.

In this day of Holy Anticipation, we know the end of the story - so why are we still waiting for Easter?  Let us move toward the light full of trust.
Peace, Rev. Gail