Gospel Reading, Reflection, and Prayer for Easter Eve
Welcome, on this Easter Eve, also known as Holy Saturday. Following a reading of the Gospel, there will be a short reflection, and then a prayer. Today's reading is taken from St. John's Gospel Chapter 19, verses 38 to 42 ....
Gospel Reading: John 19. 38 - 42 New International Version - UK (NIVUK).
Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about thirty-five kilograms. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was near by, they laid Jesus there.
Reflection
Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried. St. John tells how two secret disciples - Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus - took Jesus' body, prepared it, and then laid it in a garden tomb. They had to do this before the Sabbath began on Saturday, the Jewish day of rest. After the activity of the last few days, now there was none - all was quiet and still.
Normally for us, Easter Eve is anything but quiet and still. It is full of activity and action, as churches are decorated, services are prepared, and there is a real sense of anticipation, of looking forward to 'Easter eggs and Jesus risen', as CS Lewis put it. And at this time, many people would usually be enjoying a short break away over the Easter bank holiday weekend. But not so this year. Today is more like the first Easter Eve, for our anxious and fearful coronavirus pandemic shrouded world is in a state of lockdown. Our towns and cities, coast and countryside are now largely deserted, as each of us plays our part in protecting the NHS and saving lives, by staying at home.
So today we watch and wait at home. We watch the latest news of our unfolding global crisis. We wait for the tide to turn in the battle against Covid-19, for restrictions to be lifted, and for normal life to resume once more. And in this watching and waiting, perhaps we can identify with those first grief-stricken traumatised followers of Jesus. After all, In the space of a few days, their whole world had been turned completely upside down, their hopes and dreams cruelly dashed. With their faith now shaken to the core, they must have wondered where on earth God was in all of this. Perhaps like them, we too may find ourselves asking similar questions at this time. Can we still trust that God is there with us in these traumatic times when all seems cold and dark - as cold as the lifeless body of Jesus, and as dark as His stone sealed tomb?
Prayer
Gracious God, help us to trust You in the face of darkness and death. Help us to cast our cares on You, and to know Your great faithfulness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
And a prayer by Alan Amos entitled A locked church
Ah my dear Lord, the church is locked but let my heart be open to Your presence;
there let us make, you and I, Your Easter garden;
plant it with flowers, and let the heavy stone be rolled away.
Welcome, on this Easter Eve, also known as Holy Saturday. Following a reading of the Gospel, there will be a short reflection, and then a prayer. Today's reading is taken from St. John's Gospel Chapter 19, verses 38 to 42 ....
Gospel Reading: John 19. 38 - 42 New International Version - UK (NIVUK).
Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about thirty-five kilograms. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was near by, they laid Jesus there.
Reflection
Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried. St. John tells how two secret disciples - Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus - took Jesus' body, prepared it, and then laid it in a garden tomb. They had to do this before the Sabbath began on Saturday, the Jewish day of rest. After the activity of the last few days, now there was none - all was quiet and still.
Normally for us, Easter Eve is anything but quiet and still. It is full of activity and action, as churches are decorated, services are prepared, and there is a real sense of anticipation, of looking forward to 'Easter eggs and Jesus risen', as CS Lewis put it. And at this time, many people would usually be enjoying a short break away over the Easter bank holiday weekend. But not so this year. Today is more like the first Easter Eve, for our anxious and fearful coronavirus pandemic shrouded world is in a state of lockdown. Our towns and cities, coast and countryside are now largely deserted, as each of us plays our part in protecting the NHS and saving lives, by staying at home.
So today we watch and wait at home. We watch the latest news of our unfolding global crisis. We wait for the tide to turn in the battle against Covid-19, for restrictions to be lifted, and for normal life to resume once more. And in this watching and waiting, perhaps we can identify with those first grief-stricken traumatised followers of Jesus. After all, In the space of a few days, their whole world had been turned completely upside down, their hopes and dreams cruelly dashed. With their faith now shaken to the core, they must have wondered where on earth God was in all of this. Perhaps like them, we too may find ourselves asking similar questions at this time. Can we still trust that God is there with us in these traumatic times when all seems cold and dark - as cold as the lifeless body of Jesus, and as dark as His stone sealed tomb?
Prayer
Gracious God, help us to trust You in the face of darkness and death. Help us to cast our cares on You, and to know Your great faithfulness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
And a prayer by Alan Amos entitled A locked church
Ah my dear Lord, the church is locked but let my heart be open to Your presence;
there let us make, you and I, Your Easter garden;
plant it with flowers, and let the heavy stone be rolled away.