The Tomb of Messiah

BY: Jhon Vincent Compio 

PHOTO BY: Alona Myka Balbastro

Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, ⁵¹ who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. ⁵² Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. ⁵³ Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. ⁵⁴ It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

On this day, Holy Saturday we reflect and mourn. It serves as a mark of the time when Jesus was laid in the tomb, fulfilling the prophecy of his death and resurrection. It is a time of preparation and reflection, as the Christians anticipate the celebration of the resurrection on Easter. 

On Black Saturday, churches are often covered in black or dark purple, signifying a sense of mourning. It is a 40-hour vigil, as believers reflect on the events of Good Friday and await the joyous celebration of Easter Sunday. Many Christians observe this day through fasting, prayer, and attending special liturgical services, such as the Easter Vigil, which symbolizes the transition from darkness to light, from death to new life.

Moreover, Holy Saturday holds a sense of anticipation and hope, as it marks the eve of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It serves as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is the promise of redemption and renewal. As Christians await the dawn of Easter Sunday, they are reminded of the victory of life over death and the hope of salvation that Jesus' resurrection brings. Holy Saturday thus serves as a bridge between the sorrow of Good Friday and the joy of Easter, summarizing the essence of the Christian faith, that through Christ, there is always hope and the promise of eternal life. 

Holy Saturday is the day to show our faith in God that he will come back to life.