A Sacred Pause… with the Mother of Jesus

Hope Leading to the Dawn.
Reflection Date: April 19, 2025, Holy Saturday
Author: Fr. Ignatius Britto, SJ
Daily Reading : 1st ReadingGenesis 1:1-2:2 Or Genesis 1:1, 26-31A
2nd Reading Genesis 22:1-18 Or Genesis 22:1-2, 9A, 10-13, 15-18
3rd ReadingExodus 14:15-15:1
4th Reading Isaiah 54:5-14
5th Reading Isaiah 55:1-11
6th ReadingBaruch 3:9-15, 32C4:4
7th Reading Ezekiel 36:16-17A, 18-28
Epistle Romans 6:3-11
Gospel Luke 24:1-12         

Jesus is dead! God is dead! You/We have killed Him! Hence, nature is disturbed! Darkness has enveloped the world! Can you imagine a world without God?

You have journeyed from the manger in Bethlehem to the tomb near Calvary. You have experienced the unconditional love of the God-Man, Jesus.

Only at the death of Jesus do we begin to understand that the powerlessness of love is its POWER, and the weakness of love is its STRENGTH. Therefore, we remain in deep silence, ruminating over the mystery of love and mercy. And in that silence, we begin to experience the God who is at work even in the silences. This Holy Saturday, also known as Black Saturday by some, is a sacred pause—a reminder that after death, there is the promise of resurrection. We are called to hold on to hope, knowing that Jesus has conquered death!

The Church invites us to spend the day with the sorrowful Mother, who was the only believer in her Son’s resurrection. Mary, from the time of the Annunciation to the last day of Jesus, kept everything in her heart and pondered over all that had happened in the light of the Scriptures. She experienced martyrdom in her heart all through her life and suffered silently. At the Feast of the Cross, her sufferings knew no bounds when the dead body of Jesus was lowered into her lap. What Simon had prophesied regarding Mary had come true. She stood by Jesus until His burial, and later, she was with the rest of the disciples, giving them hope of new life in the Risen Lord.

The disciples were left with grief, uncertainty, and hopelessness. Mother Mary stood by their side and led them to the joy of Easter Sunday. She does the same in our lives today. Let us, then, remain faithful in waiting, knowing that even in the darkest moments of our lives, true light will shine forth.

Call to Action:

• Do you believe that Christ can bring light even to the obscure areas of your life?
• Learn to cultivate hope in God during times of suffering or uncertainty.
• How do you experience Holy Saturday in your faith journey?