Holy Saturday: The Garden Tomb (Chapters 11-12) (The last day of Lent)

PAUSE
As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly to recenter my scattered senses upon the presence of God.

(pause)
I pray Psalm 40: 1, repeating the words slowly, several times:
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.”

REFLECT
Bible: Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying … She turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” (John 20: 11, 14-16)

Book passage: The first words of the new covenant are a question. Not an announcement, not an answer, but a quietly considerate question addressed to a weeping woman: “Why,” Jesus wants to know, “are you weeping?” And for anyone like Mary, anyone like you and me, who has journeyed through the darkness of Maundy Thursday and the despair of Good Friday to reach this garden tomb, it’s a stupid question. But it’s also a profound question and, with hindsight, even a funny one too. Jesus, the God you may confuse with a gardener, simply speaks Mary’s name. Easter dawns with a question and a name. (p.199)

ASK
Ask myself: As Jesus approaches, what question do I hear Him asking me? And what expression do I see on His face as He speaks my name?

Ask the Lord: Thank you, Lord, that you know my name, see my tears, and care about my story. Please open my eyes to see You today in the people I meet. And teach me to ask the kind of questions that unlock their hearts.

YIELD
A prayer on the eve of Easter:

Like Mary at the tomb, I’m here to worship through tears.
Like Mary, I hardly dare to hope that I might ever see You, Hear You, touch You again. Living Lord Jesus, let me hear You speaking my name.
Amen.