Husband. Father. Anglican Priest.
On Friday, Jesus said, “It is finished.” On Saturday, he was buried. At the Great Vigil, the stone is rolled away and the word finally comes: “He has risen.” The grave could not hold Christ, and because he lives, those who belong to him will live also.
The Great Vigil of Easter is the first liturgy of Easter Day. From darkness into light, from Scripture to Baptism, and from the empty tomb to the Eucharistic feast, the Church proclaims the Passover of the Lord: Jesus Christ has passed through death into life.
Holy Saturday asks us not to hurry past the words “he was buried.” Christ truly entered death, yet the grave could not make the final claim. Because his saving work is finished, the Church can wait in hope, trusting the God who raises the dead.
Holy Saturday keeps the Church at the tomb of Jesus. Christ truly died, was buried, and descended to the dead. Yet this day is not hopeless silence. It is the final day of the Lenten fast, a day of waiting for the third day and the dawn of the new creation.
A Good Friday sermon on John 18–19. From the garden to Golgotha, one word reorders everything: "tetelestai" (paid in full).
Good Friday stops everything. No flowers, no music, just a bare altar and silence. In this countercultural observance, the worst day in history is called “good”; the day divine love triumphed on the cross.