Holy Saturday Word Among Us

The Word Among Us is part of my morning quiet time, and I thought today's was beautiful:

From today's Mass reading in Mark 16:1-7

This is the night of waiting and watching. It’s the night when all of creation is silent, listening with eager anticipation for the grating sound of a stone rolling against a cave and the soft sound of footsteps leaving a tomb. It’s the night when Peter and James and John, Mary Magdalene and Martha and Joanna, and so many others are counting the hours, wondering if Jesus’ words would come to pass. At least three times he told them that he would rise on the third day; did they dare to believe it was possible? Could they dare to hope that they would get to see him again? Did they really have a chance to touch eternity in him—and to share in that eternity as well?

What are you waiting for tonight? Healing? Reassurance? An answer to prayer? What about simply waiting for Jesus himself? Maybe that’s the best thing to do as we wait for the dawning of a new day and a new age of grace. The disciples didn’t know exactly what Sunday morning would bring, and so they waited in faith and trust. In the same way, we don’t really know what tomorrow will bring either. Every new day is a mystery, and we can only wait for it to unfold before us.

So tonight try spending some time in quiet contemplation before the empty tomb. Leave aside your needs, your wants, and your agendas. Put your intercessory prayer list on hold for just one night. Your Father knows what you and all your loved ones need. He knows your hurts, your hopes, your fears, and your dreams. Lay them aside and fix your heart instead on Jesus and the salvation that he has won for you.

Don’t say a word. Don’t even sing a song. Just close your eyes and picture him coming out of the tomb, your Redeemer and Brother. Picture yourself among the sleeping guards—only you’re awake. Imagine Jesus walking up to you and locking eyes with you. What do you see there? What do you feel? What does he want to say to you? You have waited so long for this moment, and now it’s finally here. Look carefully and listen closely. Your redemption is at hand!

“Jesus, I love you.”