THE SILENT SATURDAY

THE HOLY SATURDAY 2022

April 16

Total silence... those 36 hours from the death on the Cross to the moment of resurrection, it was one long and heavy silence. No one knew what was happening... but within everyone tremendous things were taking place. Think of our Blessed Mother who held her dead son on her lap and now looking at her empty hands that held that treasured son of hers. Think of Peter who, inspite of all the warning, failed so miserably, denying his Lord and Master repeatedly before those Jewish men and women. Think of all the disciples, except John, who fled for their lives and gathered back in fear and trembling. Think of the women who followed Jesus who were all this while following all that happened to Jesus, so helplessly, hoping that at some time or the other something spectacular will happen and their Rabbi would be back in action - but now nothing of him except his dead body in the tomb remains. Let us not even think of Judas who chose a despicable end for himself, unwarranted keeping in mind the opportunities given to him. And those priests and scribes who were instrumental in getting rid of the rebellious Jesus, sighing relief that they had one trouble less now. Herod and Pilate, thinking still about this strange man, who seemed to be so fearless and so determined about something that they could not understand at all. And the people who followed him everywhere, some of whom cried 'hosanna', some others who shouted 'crucify him', and still others who were just following the crowd not knowing what exactly is happening. In all these minds there was a silence, but a silence so heavy, so heavy with thoughts, questions, doubts, disappointments and wonder. The Church wishes us to get into that silence and observe ourselves - what is that question or what is that thought that fills my silence?