Husband, father, and Anglican priest living in the North Georgia Mountains. Sermons, reflections, and articles promoting the "Ancient Faith for Modern Times". Subscribe below to get the latest posts in your inbox.
The Season of Easter is fifty days, not one Sunday. The calendar insists on this: the resurrection is not a doctrine to be acknowledged but a reality to be inhabited. From the empty tomb through the Ascension to the fire of Pentecost — one continuous act of worship.
The Paschal Candle therefore belongs to the whole biblical movement from Passover to Resurrection. Its light is not generic optimism, springtime renewal, or the natural return of brightness after winter. It is specifically the light of the crucified and risen Jesus Christ.
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.