Black Saturday: Time for silent anticipation

After Good Friday when Christians commemorate the suffering and death on the cross of Jesus, comes Holy Saturday or Black Saturday which marks the time when Jesus Christ was buried in the tomb.

As the Vatican News puts it, it is the “interlude between the pain of the death of Jesus and the joy of His resurrection. In silent expectation, the Christian community relives the loss of the disciples of Christ as recollection and meditation reign supreme.”

The Vatican News explains: “The liturgical reform of Pope Pius XII has in some way ‘reinstated’ Holy Saturday as the day of silence and expectation, in which every Christian, even today, meditates on the death of Jesus and on his own, preparing himself for the inevitable end of earthly life. “

Preparing ourselves for the end of earthly life requires some self-examination.  Does our love for our neighbor, as Jesus commanded during the Last Supper, translate to good deeds done regularly or randomly?  Kindness, one of the acts that should be practiced fervently by people no matter their religion, and not only during Lent, enables us to reach out to those who are suffering from poverty, disease, or discrimination.

Black Saturday is also the best time to pause from any activity to reflect on the value of rest.  The word “Saturday” comes from the words sabbatical and Sabbath.  It is traced to the Greek word sabaton that, in turn, traces to the Hebrew word shabbāth, meaning “rest.”

In the Old Testament book of Leviticus, the observance of a Sabbath is commanded by the Lord not only every seventh day, but also every seventh year and in the Sabbath year, they should not plant or grow crops but simply “let the land rest.”

The concept of resting for reflection is, therefore, an important aspect of Christian tradition.

“Rest” in today’s fast-paced work-filled lifestyles is almost an act of luxury.  Those who struggle to make ends meet use their day of rest to work on a second job.  Those who have gained financial security use the day to upgrade their skills. Rest is important not only for the body, but also for spiritual growth, and for strengthening family relationships.

Since the Marian Year of 1987, Black Saturday was also celebrated with the Hour of the Mother in accordance with the Byzantine tradition. “ The focus is on the figure of Mary, in whom, we find both the pain of bereavement on the death of  her only beloved Son and the hope of His resurrection.” For this reason, Mary is  known as Our Lady of Sorrows, Our Lady of Dolours and the Sorrowful Mother, according to the Vatican News.

After sunset, Black Saturday moves to the Easter Vigil which marks the beginning of the Easter season. In churches tonight, Christians will light the Paschal candle and proclaim the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The candle, representing the Risen Christ, is carried into the darkened church, and symbolizing the light of Christ coming into the world.

Let each of us be the light that comes into the darkened world of our neighbors who are in need of   sustenance and caring. Such is the essence of Christian solidarity.