Holy Saturday

Each day we will take a look at a sentence from the Lord’s Prayer.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

As the body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw it carried into the tomb. Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to embalm him; but by the time they were finished it was the Sabbath, so they rested all that day as required by the Jewish law. Luke 23:55-56.

Although the women and the disciples appear to have kept to the letter of the law and observed the strict rules about travel and work, it seems probable that their minds took little rest that day. They may have been tempted to want to stay with Jesus’ body and continue with getting on with the burial rites of the time. But they retreat back to their homes and we are told they rested.

There is great value in making Holy Saturday as quiet a day as possible. There is the temptation to over busy ourselves making the preparations for Easter Day. We need to take the example of the women and not be tempted, but rest.

A project

The early Christians renewed their Baptism vows on this day. Take a look at the Baptism Vows made today and decide whether they are questions you can answer as Easter dawns.

Do you turn to Christ? I turn to Christ.

Do you repent of your sins? I repent of my sins

Do you renounce evil? I renounce evil

Do you believe and trust in God the Father, who made the world….In his Son Jesus Christ, who redeemed humankind….. In his Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God? I believe and trust in him.

Place a small glass with water and place with the Palm Cross, photo/names, battery, keys, bread and candle, to remind you of the reaffirmation of baptismal promises.

Pray

Lord, show me the things that tempt me away from you and help me to turn my back on them and focus only on you.