Today’s Picture: The Three Marys Nea Moni Monastery of Chios (1100 AD)
Living with the dead Jesus – Holy Saturday
There is a numbness around death. Sometimes we try to keep ourselves busy by doing familar or necessary things. Joseph of Arimathea does what he can to give Jesus a decent burial after his indecent execution.
The ever-faithful women followers of Jesus keep a watchful eye on his body.
Everything had been at such a rush at the end that there was no time to do the necessary anointing of the body before the Sabbath fell.
The women wait for that long Sabbath to end so they can do what they can for Jesus.
Today’s Prayer
Preparation: Begin by stilling, then dedicating the time of prayer to God and asking God that all you think, feel and imagine are for the glory of God.
Gift: Ask for what you desire.
Suggestion: To feel the sorrow of the women in the lost of their beloved.
Setting: You may like to imagine you are one of the women, Joseph of Arimathea, the centurian or some other character in the story.
Mark 15: 42-47 HCSB
When it was already evening, because it was preparation day
(that is, the day before the Sabbath),
Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who was himself looking forward to the kingdom of God, came and boldly went in to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.
Pilate was surprised that He was already dead.
Summoning the centurion, he asked him whether He had already died.
When he found out from the centurion, he gave the corpse to Joseph.
After he bought some fine linen, he took Him down and wrapped Him in the linen.
Then he placed Him in a tomb cut out of the rock,
and rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb.
Now Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were watching where He was placed.
Conversation: Talk to Jesus as he lies in death or to the women in their grief.
What might you want to say?
How do you imagine they might reply to you?
Final Prayer: End with a formal prayer such as the Lord’s Prayer/Our Father.
Today’s Music
Today’s Music: Requiem, written by Eliza Gilkyson arranged by Craid Hella Johnson sung by Taiwan Youth Choir
More music by Eliza Gilkyson
Your Next Move
As we near to the end of our retreat you may be looking for something to follow it up. We have a few suggestions for you – just click the button below.
Donation
We are happy to provide this retreat for free. But we do have expenses, so if you appreciate it, we would be grateful for a donation of whatever size you can afford.