This content has been archived. It may no longer be relevant
Holy Saturday
A reading from an ancient homily for Holy Saturday
The Lord’s descent into hell
“What is happening? Today there is a great silence over the earth, a great silence, and stillness, a great silence because the King sleeps; the earth was in terror and was still, because God slept in the flesh and raised up those who were sleeping from the ages. God has died in the flesh, and the underworld has trembled.
Truly he goes to seek out our first parent like a lost sheep; he wishes to visit those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. He goes to free the prisoner Adam and his fellow-prisoner Eve from their pains, he who is God, and Adam’s son.
The Lord goes in to them holding his victorious weapon, his cross. When Adam, the first created man, sees him, he strikes his breast in terror and calls out to all: ‘My Lord be with you all.’ And Christ in reply says to Adam: And with your spirit. And grasping his hand he raises him up, saying: Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.
I am your God, who for your sake became your son, who for you and your descendants now speak and command with authority those in prison: Come forth, and those in darkness: Have light, and those who sleep: Rise.
I command you: Awake, sleeper, I have not made you to be held a prisoner in the underworld. Arise from the dead; I am the life of the dead. Arise, O man, work of my hands, arise, you who were fashioned in my image. Rise, let us go hence; for you in me and I in you, together we are one undivided person.
For you, I your God became your son; for you, I the Master took on your form; that of slave; for you, I who am above the heavens came on earth and under the earth; for you, man, I became as a man without help, free among the dead; for you, who left a garden, I was handed over to Jews from a garden and crucified in a garden.
Look at the spittle on my face, which I received because of you, in order to restore you to that first divine inbreathing at creation. See the blows on my cheeks, which I accepted in order to refashion your distorted form to my own image.
‘See the scourging of my back, which I accepted in order to disperse the load of your sins which was laid upon your back. See my hands nailed to the tree for a good purpose, for you, who stretched out your hand to the tree for an evil one.
`I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side, for you, who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side healed the pain of your side; my sleep will release you from your sleep in Hades; my sword has checked the sword which was turned against you.
But arise, let us go hence. The enemy brought you out of the land of paradise; I will reinstate you, no longer in paradise, but on the throne of heaven. I denied you the tree of life, which was a figure, but now I myself am united to you, I who am life. I posted the cherubim to guard you as they would slaves; now I make the cherubim worship you as they would God.
“The cherubim throne has been prepared, the bearers are ready and waiting, the bridal chamber is in order, the food is provided, the everlasting houses and rooms are in readiness; the treasures of good things have been opened; the kingdom of heaven has been prepared before the ages.”
Grace Prayed For
Recognition of God’s Love: The passage highlights God’s unwavering love for his creation, extending even to those who have fallen. This reflection encourages us to recognize and appreciate the depth of this love in our own lives.
Reflection
This beautiful passage from a Holy Saturday sermon paints a vivid picture of the sacred silence that hangs between the crucifixion and the resurrection. It’s a time of anticipation, a space where hope and wonder intermingle.
The sermon opens with a powerful image: “a great silence over the earth.” The world seems to hold its breath, waiting for the next chapter to unfold. Yet, within this silence, there’s a stirring. “God has died in the flesh, and the underworld has trembled.” The act of sacrifice has shaken the very foundations of existence.
The focus then shifts to Jesus’ descent into Hades, often referred to as the Harrowing of Hell. He isn’t there as a conqueror, but as a liberator. He seeks “Adam, the first created man,” and his fellow prisoners, offering them freedom from the darkness.
The dialogue between Christ and Adam is particularly moving. Christ, addressing Adam, declares, “I am your God, who for your sake became your son…” This act of selflessness, of becoming one with humanity, becomes the key to unlocking the prison gates.
The passage continues with a series of powerful declarations by Christ, each one highlighting the immense sacrifice he made for humanity:
- “For you, I your God became your son…”
- “For you, man, I became as a man…”
- “See the spittle on my face, which I received because of you…”
These words are not meant to elicit guilt, but to awaken a profound sense of gratitude. Christ endured unimaginable suffering, not out of obligation, but out of love for his creation.
The sermon concludes with a message of hope: “But arise, let us go hence.” The silence is broken, not by despair, but by the promise of a new dawn. The “enemy brought you out of the land of paradise,” but Christ offers a far greater reward – a place on the throne of heaven.
This Holy Saturday reflection offers several profound takeaways:
- The Power of Sacrifice: Christ’s sacrifice wasn’t just an act of suffering, but a powerful act of love that conquered even death itself.
- Hope in the Midst of Darkness: Even in the silence of Holy Saturday, there is a glimmer of hope, a promise of the resurrection to come.
- God’s Unconditional Love: The passage emphasizes the depth of God’s love for humanity, a love that extends even to those who have strayed.
As we reflect on this sermon, let it fill our hearts with a sense of awe and gratitude. Let the silence of Holy Saturday be a space for quiet contemplation, a time to prepare ourselves for the glorious light of the resurrection.
Today’s Challenge
Recognition of God’s Love (Grace: Forgiveness): Challenge: Write a Letter of Forgiveness. The passage mentions Adam’s transgression. Think about someone you need to forgive, someone who may have caused you pain. Write a letter expressing forgiveness and thanking God for his unconditional love, which allows you to extend forgiveness to others. You don’t have to send the letter, but use it as a tool for self-reflection and healing.
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post