Today we acknowledge that we, like Christ’s early followers, are living in the tension of waiting. Just as they awaited the promised resurrection while they grieved Jesus’s death, we await His promised return while we suffer the continual fallout of sin. 

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You may read the following quietly to yourself, or aloud together if you are gathered with others.

Scripture Reading | Matthew 27:57-66

“When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, ‘Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception would be worse than the first.’ Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.’ So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.”

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Scripture Reading | Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16

“In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.

Incline your ear to me;
make haste to deliver me.

Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,
for you are my crag and my stronghold;
for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.

Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me,
for you are my tower of strength.

My times are in your hand;
rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.

Make your face to shine upon your servant,
and in your loving-kindness save me."

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A Prayer for Holy Saturday

(from the Book of Common Prayer)

O God, Creator of heaven and earth: 

Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb 

And rested on this holy Sabbath,

So we may await with him the coming of the third day

And rise with him to newness of life; 

Who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

One God, for ever and ever. 

Amen

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See our other Easter Weekend Liturgies:

Good Friday Liturgy            Easter Sunday Liturgy

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