Hymn text from the Holy Saturday Divine Office

Teach us, O Lord, the disciplines of patience,
for to wait is often harder than to work. – Peter Marshall

Selection from Worship in the Light of the Cross by John Indermar
The women in Luke [23:55-56] actively engage in the immediate aftermath of crucifixion. They follow to see where the body has been taken. They prepare spices and ointments for anointing the corpse. But instead of pressing ahead in a rush to get things done ASAP, they stop. They keep the sabbath. In Luke’s terms, they rest. Luke’s word Heschazo carries dual meanings of “to keep quiet” and “to cease from labor.” The women keep Saturday’s vigil in stillness and quietness.

Reflection on Waiting by Henri J. M. Nouwen
To wait open-endedly is an enormously radical attitude toward life. So is to trust that something will happen to us that is far beyond our imaginings. So, too, is giving up control over our future and letting God define our life, trusting that God molds us according to God’s love and not according to our fear. The spiritual life is a life in which we wait, actively present to the moment, trusting that new things will happen to us, new things that are far beyond our own imagination, fantasy, or prediction. That, indeed, is a very radical stance toward life in a world preoccupied with control.

Prayer for Holy Saturday by Lisa Degrenia
There are so many things we do not understand⁠
So many ways we long for change and closure⁠
⁠
Help us to trust you⁠
even when the situation is desperate and out of control⁠
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Help us to follow you⁠
even when the way unclear⁠
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Help us to wait and rest⁠
even when every bit of us screams to act⁠
⁠
Build in us a faith that endures⁠
Even when we can’t see you⁠
Or feel you near⁠
Or understand⁠
⁠
A faith that endures the waiting⁠
The in-between ⁠
The pregnant pause⁠
⁠
Your power and goodness are never diminished⁠
Morning is coming⁠

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Prayer for Holy Saturday © 2021 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
(by Lisa Degrenia, revlisad.com) Please leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.