Holy Saturday

​“Something strange is happening – there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep” These words from an ancient homily describe well the atmosphere of Holy Saturday, the day when Jesus rested in the tomb. The silence of this day is the silence of the tomb. At home, we might consider fasting today from television, video games, and any unnecessary online communications. Fill the silence with prayer and the reading of Sacred Scripture. Here are the readings assigned for tonight’s Great Vigil of Easter:

  1. Genesis 1:1 – 2:2: The days of creation
  2. Genesis 22: 1-18: The sacrifice of Abraham
  3. Exodus 14:15 – 15:1: The crossing of the Red Sea
  4. Isaiah 54:5-14: The tender and eternal love of God
  5. Isaiah 55: 1-11: The everlasting covenant
  6. Baruch 3: 9-15, 32; 4: 1-4: In praise of wisdom
  7. Ezekiel 36: 16-28: The sprinkling of clean water
  8. Romans 6: 3-11: We share in Christ’s death and resurrection
  9. Matthew 28: 1-10: The women at the tomb
 
Holy Saturday is a day to quietly go about preparing our home for Easter. Be sure to decorate the religious images in your home. If flowers are unavailable, have the children draw or color some. Make “Alleluia!” posters to put up around the home, announcing that Christ is risen. Another Holy Saturday activity might include making your own Easter Candle. Coloring Easter eggs is another favorite activity for families on this day. The multi-colored eggs remind us of the rainbow God placed in the sky after the Flood as a promise of his covenant with humanity.
 
And, don’t forget to join us live for the Great Vigil of Easter beginning at 8:00pm.
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