IN THE DARK CAVE

Annibale Carracci- 16C. Italy

Most of us live, from time to time, in Holy Saturday. We experience the jubilation of Easter and the stark pain of Good Friday, but those are immediate and momentary. Holy Saturday is the time in between death and resurrection, fear and hope, pain and comfort. Holy Saturday is the valley of grief and uncertainty, for us and for Jesus' first disciples.

On Holy Saturday, we don't know what the future will bring.  Like those first women on that first Holy Saturday, we live with an uncertain future.

While Holy Saturday is a day of quiet and silence, it is difficult for us to experience Holy Saturday during Holy Week. Holy Saturday speaks most directly to the daily reality of our lives. After the shock of death or words that bring despair we have to begin living with the "what next?" as we enter the void of unknowing.

Between the great dramas of life, there is almost always a time of empty waiting . If we are willing to rest in this Sabbath, we may come as close to Jesus as we get through the rest of the year. There in that quiet cave where we wait to see how our redeemer will choose to come to us in the dark.