Gen.1:1-2:2; Gen.22:1-18; Ex.14:15-15:1; Isa.54:5-14; Isa.55:1-11; Baruch 3:9-15.32-4:4; Eze.36:16-17a.18-28; Rom.6:3-11; Mark 16:1-7
Holy Saturday is the day between the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ? It brings the Triduum to its high point. The celebration of Holy Saturday begins outside the Church with the Service of Light. That is the Easter Fire is lit and the Paschal Candle is blessed. This flame is then divided yet never dimmed by shedding of its light. All the process into the Church; at the sanctuary the great Easter Proclamation otherwise called the Exsultet is sung. This great proclamation reminds us of what Christ and God have done for us. (It is advisable to use the language the people can understand (English) in order for them to be able to relate with the rich meaning therein).
Next to the above is the liturgy of the word. We are presented with nine readings; seven from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. For pastoral reasons the Old Testament readings may be reduced in number but not without the reading from Exodus 14. All the readings trace the history of salvation from the story of Creation to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the dawn of Easter – the testimony of the women who entered the opened tomb with their encounter with a young man who told them that the Lord has risen is the good news for both the immediate disciples and all of us. Beloved, Christ has risen – He is the reason for Christianity. Without the resurrection there is no Christianity and our preaching and faith St Paul says is vain.
After the Homily, where it is possible the Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated. The faithful are called to renew their own baptismal promises just as the clerics renewed their vows during the Chrism mass. Thus, the season of Lent is a period of renewal and revival for Christ’s faithful.
Finally, the Liturgy of the Eucharist is celebrated in the usual manner. Beloved, it is the prayer of the Church that this season we be the dawn of deeper faith and appreciation in the Catholic teaching.
LET US PRAY
Lord God, On the Sabbath, Jesus rested. He was in the grave. He had finished his work. To most people’s eyes, It looked as if it were all over. He was dead and buried. But only as a seed dies when it is planted in the earth, Not to decay, but to spring to new life. Teach us to take refuge in you when we are afraid Teach us that death is not our end Teach us to hope always in you And in the resurrection, the making of all things New. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
