40th Day of Lent

There was deep rest around the grave of Jesus. On the seventh day, when the work of creation was completed, God rested. “God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on that day he rested after all his work of creating” (Genesis 2:3). On the seventh day of the week of our redemption, when Jesus had fulfilled all he was sent by his Father to do, he rested in the tomb, and the women whose hearts were broken with grief rested with him. Of all the days in history, Holy Saturday – the Saturday during which the body of Jesus lay in the tomb in silence and darkness behind the large stone that was rolled against its entrance ---is the day of God’s solitude. The Paschal Sabbath is the day on which the whole creation waits in deep rest. It is the day on which no words are spoken, no proclamations made. The Word of God through whom all had been made lies buried in the darkness of the earth. This Holy Saturday is the most quiet of all days. Its quiet connects the first covenant with the second, the people of Israel with the not-yet-knowing world, the Temple with the new worship in the Spirit, the sacrifices of blood with the sacrifice of bread and wine, the Law with the Gospel. This divine silence is the most fruitful silence the world has ever known. From this silence, the Word will be spoken again and make all things new.
Henri Nouwen from Walk with Jesus 1990 Orbis Books

Today is the last day of Lent. During this season we have been reflecting and examining what kind of inward transformation we need in our lives. As we wait expectantly on the verge of Easter celebrations, what kind of new life do you long for? What difference, what change do you want to be resurrected in your life?

Prayer:
Oh God, breathe your new life into me! As I have looked deep inside myself, I know that so much needs to change; but I look to you for help and the power to live differently. I wait for you. Come Lord Jesus!