The day of death and life. A day of mourning and joy. In Christian people on this day, both feelings live almost simultaneously. We mourn the death of the Saviour, but at the end of Saturday we celebrate his resurrection.
"On Holy Saturday, the clergy of the Catholic Church, together with the faithful, meditate on the Lord's suffering and death at Christ's tomb. The altar, stripped of all its equipment on Maundy Thursday, stands empty. They don't celebrate mass either.
Holy Saturday is the beginning of the Easter celebration. According to the Catholic liturgy, the holiday begins in the evening with the consecration of fire, the fire is a symbol of Christ, with whose resurrection the Christian churches celebrate the birth of hope and light, followed by the consecration of the water of the cross.
In the old days, the new fire with which Christians cooked their Easter food was ignited by the embers or coals of the holy fire on Holy Saturday. As part of the Holy Saturday ceremony, the bells are coming back from Rome. There are 7 readings, then after the sermon 12 universal supplications. In it they plead for the people and leaders of the world, as well as for the clergy. After the sacrifice, the priest - led by the assistant - goes on a procession. After his return, he says a blessing and dismisses the faithful. The next mass usually starts at midnight, but in some parishes at dawn. This already indicates the resurrection of Jesus, this is his vigil."
Grief and joy - this is our life. Eternal losses and eternal victories. Failures and triumphs. Hopelessness and hope. This is what the miracle of Holy Saturday tells us.
And it says something else: never give up. No matter how bitter the situation is, no matter how bleak, hopeless, the way is always open, there is the opportunity to overcome problems, to win - for resurrection.
The son of God descended into hell to bring us the forgiveness of our sins. He rose from the dead to bring us the promise and hope of resurrection.
After mourning, the cry of joy can be heard: he is risen, truly risen!
(Header image: pixabay)
