“Something strange
is happening – there is a great silence over the earth today, a great silence
and stillness because the King sleeps.” – from an ancient homily on Holy
Saturday (in the Office of Readings)
Something strange happened to me in February 21, 2012. I spent an all-night vigil inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which housed the tomb of Jesus. I stayed mostly in the Chapel of the Angels, the small antechamber where the angel announced to the women that Jesus had been raised. As I sat looking in the tomb, a deep silence ensued. Something beckoned me to wait. Waiting for what I know not of. I tried to fill the silence with prayers of petitions for people, with moments of distractions and yawns. Gradually, something dawned within me. I don’t know what it was, but a deep sense of peace and trust grew within. Then a quiet, gentle joy slowly emerged. I can’t really explain it. Such peace and joy lasted the entire night, at a consistent depth and duration that I had never known before. A simple and powerful truth grabbed me: Jesus’ resurrection happened at the same place where he was entombed. At the same place where death lays new life arises; where fear treads, love dances; where grief dwells, hope springs; where we struggle, Christ’s peace rests.
Something strange happened to me in February 21, 2012. I spent an all-night vigil inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which housed the tomb of Jesus. I stayed mostly in the Chapel of the Angels, the small antechamber where the angel announced to the women that Jesus had been raised. As I sat looking in the tomb, a deep silence ensued. Something beckoned me to wait. Waiting for what I know not of. I tried to fill the silence with prayers of petitions for people, with moments of distractions and yawns. Gradually, something dawned within me. I don’t know what it was, but a deep sense of peace and trust grew within. Then a quiet, gentle joy slowly emerged. I can’t really explain it. Such peace and joy lasted the entire night, at a consistent depth and duration that I had never known before. A simple and powerful truth grabbed me: Jesus’ resurrection happened at the same place where he was entombed. At the same place where death lays new life arises; where fear treads, love dances; where grief dwells, hope springs; where we struggle, Christ’s peace rests.
It has been four years, yet this experience still
quietly haunts me. It helps me to find meaning in the sudden and tragic death
of my brother-in-law last September.
The full
text of the ancient homily on Holy Saturday speaks of the great silence
after Jesus' death as God-King sleeps. In the silence that seems like
nothingness and meaninglessness, something unbelievably new and life giving is
happening. Jesus descends into all forms of human death and dying, suffering and
hell, sins and failures. In doing so, he transforms everything! Before Easter Sunday arrives, we are invited to rest in the silence of Holy Saturday. For God’s
sleeping and resting awakens the joy of Christian faith. Something strange is
happening.
What if today,
we simply rest, doing nothing, in God’s tender embrace?
Lord,
help me to rest in silence with you, to be in solidarity with all who are
abandoned and alone, learning to trust in your faithful love which turns death
into life.
Thanks for such a great post and the review, I am totally impressed! Keep stuff like this coming.
ReplyDeletebestsleepapneatreat.com - Pros of EPAP therapy
2017 labor day
ReplyDeletehappy labor day 2017
happy labor day pics and quotes
labor day quotes wishes messages and greetings
Exclusive New Blog Post on the New Running Shows:
ReplyDeleteAmerica got Talent Winner Name Announced
America got Talent who will win Predictions
America got Talent finale Winner Wiki Spoiler
America Got talent Winner Name
America Got talent who will win the Final
America’s got Talent Winner Name Announced
America’s got Talent who will win Predictions
America’s got Talent finale Winner Wiki Spoiler
America’s Got talent Winner Name
America’s Got talent who will win the Final
AGT 2018 Winner Name Announced
AGT 2018 who will win Predictions
AGT 2018 finale Winner Wiki Spoiler
AGT 2018 Winner Name
AGT 2018 who will win the Final
World of Dance Winner Name Announced
World of Dance who will win Predictions
World of Dance Winner Name
World of Dance Winner Spoiler Predictions
America Got Talent Winner Voting Spoiler
World of Dance Spoiler Voting Winner
The Voice Winner Voting Spoiler Predictions
American Idol Voting Spoiler Winner Predictions
Dancing with the Stars Voting Winner Spoiler Prediction
https://www.gergstore.com
ReplyDeleteGergstore
Gergstore - Online Shopping India
https://www.goldenerasoftware.com
Golden Era Software Solutions
https://uthhan.gergstore.com
Buy handicrafts online in India
https://www.goldeneraproperty.com
Golden Era Property
ReplyDelete파워볼총판
good good psoe roieer
ReplyDelete토토사이트
good gkjd foieorwer
카지노가입쿠폰
ReplyDeletegkj c ieori oiwer wer
A couple other things to consider when looking at the different mattress options that are available is the mattress's warranty and whether the mattress comes with a foundation. truck mattress
ReplyDelete