SATURDAY (April 3, 2021)
Holy Saturday
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Gospel Sentence
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24)
Reading
“When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.” (Matthew 27:57–66)
Meditation
His death is finished. His work is done. He rests in the tomb. But it is not a final resting place. It is a temporary grave, more temporary than even they thought at the time. So, too, our graves will be temporary, for at the Last Day our Lord will call us out of those graves and we will come forth as His people, resting in His grace for all eternity.
Silence
Prayer for Holy Cross Member
O Lord, in Holy Baptism you put your Name upon Richard. Bless him now with the forgiveness of sins and a firm trust in you. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for Holy Saturday
O God, creator of heaven and earth, grant that as the crucified body of Your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with Him the coming of the third day, and rise with Him to newness of life, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Lord’s Prayer