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Holy Saturday

Betty Hollister writes:
Suspended.  Waiting.  Frozen.  On this Saturday we are caught between the agony of the crucifixion and the glory of resurrection.  In some traditions today is called Holy Saturday, Black Saturday, Sad Saturday, or even Silent Saturday.  I think I like Silent Saturday best.  For many today is the day to color the eggs and start cooking the Easter feast. But this study has certainly reminded us that whatever you call this day, it should be a time to reflect on how alone the “human Jesus” must have felt. This entire Lenten study has led up to this moment.  This week Haverkamp stresses the outcomes of solitude. She reminds us of the social changes influenced by people like Martin Luther King, Jr. or Nelson Mandela who wrote about freedom, peace and justice while they were being denied those very concepts during confinement.  Perhaps one of Haverkamp’s most moving contributions is the one about solitary confinement.  The quote from Five Omar Mualimmak-Ak, “I was out of sight and invisible to other human beings and eventually, even to myself.” really touches me.  If you Google this black activist, you learn that he says the only thing that allowed him to hang onto his sanity during five years of solitary confinement was drawing.  And, what did he draw?  Portraits.  People.  Faces of other inmates, their families, and even the guards.  Connections.  This brings us back to Jesus’ example of reaching out to others even while suffering the agony of crucifixion: 

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." Luke 23:34
"Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Luke 23:43
"Jesus said to his mother: "Woman, this is your son." Then he said to the disciple: "This is your mother." John 19:26-27

From the beginning, I have admitted this study has been a struggle for me.  I have felt “out of step” with my attitude about the practices Haverkamp has suggested.  I have joked with friends that I am either the only one honest or stupid enough to admit my shallowness. Maybe, I am just the one who needed this study the most. Anyway, I thank our author and our Spiritual Formation Team for the resulting “growth.”  I especially thank Judi Geistlinger for her dedication keeping this blog going and leading our discussion groups on Sundays.  

Being able to walk this journey through our blog and our study has brought us all to this Silent Saturday of reflecting and anticipating the joy of celebrating the resurrection together tomorrow.  I know this experience for me will be even more powerful because of this study.  I think the last quote from Thomas Merton sums up my feelings the best.  “We go into solitude not to escape other men, but to find them in God.”  Blessings to all in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen and Alleluia!

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