Lent with Ignatius – Day 46

Holy Saturday

46. Tomb Day

This day we remember the dead Jesus.
A quiet day of sitting by the tomb.
A day of mourning and loss.
Imagine how all Jesus’ friends, family and followers must have felt after watching or hearing about his death on a cross. Their world must have fallen apart.
What had the future to hold after he had gone.
Could they ever be satisfied with catching fish or collecting taxes again?


A Thought to ponder

Upon the death of a person we frequently feel numb, not knowing what to do. It is clear from the various appearances of Jesus after his resurrection that his followers took quite some time to realise that they had a ministry to continue. Eventually, inspired by the Spirit they understood what Jesus had shown them and began to teach others about him with enthusiasm.
We might ponder whether our faith has more in common with the hopelessness of Holy Saturday or the enthusiasm of Pentecost? What gift, what grace can we ask for to animate us?


Scripture for the Day

As a way of praying today’s Scripture we suggest Imaginative Contemplation.

Luke 23:50-56 NRSVACE

Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council,
had not agreed to their plan and action.
He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea,
and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God.
This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning.
The women who had come with him from Galilee followed,
and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid.

Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.
On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.


Music for Today

Mahler: Adagietto Symphony 5 – Karajan

Purchase more of the music of Gustav Mahler

Follow-Up

We suggest that as a follow-up to this retreat you may like to take part in an individually guided retreat.
We offer these both online and in person.

Tomorrow is the last day of our retreat.
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