Holy Saturday Reflection

Holy Saturday Reflection

By Rev. Calvon Jones

Today, there is an empty cross.

And we must sit with the empty cross.

We must sit with silence. Today, we must sit with suffering. We must sit with the pain and agony that marginalized groups face. We must sit with the destruction that state-sponsored violence inflicts on the body. We must not run too fast to the Resurrection — for we are to not trivialize suffering and the reality of evil in our world.

As I reflect on the darkness that covered the scene, I see darkness in a new light. Most writers of history love to paint darkness in a negative light. Darkness is often seen as evil. Darkness is often seen as demonic. And Darker-skinned peoples are often seen as bestial and criminal; however, through this reflection, I invite you to gaze upon Darkness in a new way.

As Mary waited. As the women waited. And as the disciples waited in the darkness of the Holy Saturday, something was happening. I am reminded of Creation. There was a God who lived in Darkness. There was a God who created in Darkness. There was a God who worked in Darkness. And there was a God who moved in Darkness.

The Cross is Empty.

And there is Darkness.

There is Silence.

We sit between longing and fulfillment.

We sit between confusion and certainty.

We sit between disappointment and promise.

We sit between death and life.

However, as we sit in silence, we are reminded that God works the Night Shift.

It was a night when Jacob had a dream of a stairway that reached from earth to Heaven. (Genesis 28:11,12,19)

It was at night when the Lord brought the children of Israel our of Egypt and they crossed the Red Sea. (Exodus 12:42, 51)

It was at night where Jacob wrestled with the angel of the Lord and said, “God, I will not let go until you bless my soul.” (Genesis 32:22–32)

It was at night when manna came down from Heaven on the camp with the dew. (Number 11:9)

It was at night when Nicodemus, a Jewish ruler, came to Jesus, wanting to know how he could find a new life. (John 3:1–23)

Yes, Holy Saturday is dark.

Yes, Holy Saturday is filled with silence.

Yes, Holy Saturday is filled with unanswered questions.

Yes, we sit between death and life.

Yes, pain and hope are paradoxically intertwined.

But God is up to something.

God is reconciling the dark and utter despair of Good Friday.

God is descending into the deepest parts of Hell, with the cross in hand, as he takes the keys of death.

God is wrestling with the shadow of death that has seemingly captured the saints for centuries.

It may be dark, but God is up to something.

Though we may have doubts, remember God is working, even when we do not see.

Until Easter, we sit in Darkness.

Until Easter, we sit with the pain of Mary, the women, and the disciples.

Until Easter, we sit believing that God is at work.