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Holy Saturday has much to teach us.
Holy Saturday.
Jesus lies in the tomb. I can’t even imagine the anguish that Mary experienced watching her Son die such a horrific and humiliating death. The disciples of Jesus must have felt that their hopes had been dashed by the death of their teacher and friend, they hid in fear that they would be next. Where fear and anxiety dwell, doubt often creeps in. Could Jesus really have been the Messiah if he died? Anguish, fear, doubts, and despair weigh heavy.
Yet at some point that Saturday, a glimmer of hope arose. As they huddled together they would have recalled some of Jesus’ words that he shared to prepare them for this moment. Peter, James, and John were especially privileged to have seen the transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus had raised Jairus’ daughter, the widow’s son, and his friend, Lazarus from the dead. Was Lazarus with them now? Could he have provided some possible hope that since he was raised, that Jesus may indeed rise again as he had said?
A powerful claim. But could it really happen?
We often find ourselves in similar, emotional maelstroms as did the disciples. We have or are right now may be experiencing dire situations and/or unexpected events. Even if not as dire, the daily wounds that attempt to arise and cry for healing, our anxieties, insecurities, and fears seem to keep us bound, and knowing we want to be better, we have good intentions, but don’t seem to rise to our deepest aspirations. As St. Paul articulated well, “What I do, I do not understand. For I do not do what I want, but I do what I hate” (Rom 7:15).
Yet, Paul and the other disciples, except Judas, persisted and did not give totally into despair and hopelessness. They continued to turn to and so help us to turn to and trust in Jesus. Even knowing that, doubts arise, and there are times that we don’t see how we can possibly get through what we are in the midst of or what looms before us. We have heard that he is with us no matter what, but there is this period of dead silence…
Holy Saturday is a time of waiting, a time of silence, and a time to draw deeper into believing what we cannot see or experience with our senses. Holy Saturday is a time to ponder and embrace the Passion of Jesus: his suffering, crucifixion, and death. Holy Saturday gives us the opportunity to make some time to learn the intimate language of the Father’s silence.
We have an advantage that Jesus’ followers did not have as they huddled together so many Saturday’s ago. We know that Jesus rose again. The question, do we really believe that he did? When faced with chronic or debilitating conditions, horrible violence, wars, the death or imminent death of a loved one, loss of a job, a surprising diagnosis, health issues, division, family strife and conflict, homelessness, isolation… each of us experience the Holy Saturday’s in our life.
Our minds tend to be drawn to focus on the worst case scenario, and in these times, when we don’t feel or experience Jesus’ presence, let us remember that he is not absent nor has he abandoned us. Jesus is right by our side and he cares. In the times of silence, he just may be challenging us to go deeper in our trust and faith in him, to embrace the silence with him. Let us trust in Jesus this day that he accompanies us in our moments of challenge. When we do, instead of feeling like we are sinking in the mud, we will come to set our feet on solid rock so as to be able to stand firm.
Photo: Walking in the quiet of the night to spend time in silence during Holy Hour with Jesus.
Meditation on Holy Saturday not any specific readings as we prepare for the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday this Saturday.
Because of how and what Jesus suffered, he understands and cares like no other.
Jesus was betrayed, arrested, falsely accused, tried, scourged, and beaten. Jesus carried his cross, was crucified, and with his words, “It is finished” (Jn 19:30), Jesus died. The gift of a crucifix is that it is an icon of the suffering and death of Jesus. Having a crucifix is not a morbid fascination with death, nor is it a rejection of his resurrection. The crucifix is not a magic talisman either, but a sacramental that helps us to remember the reality of what the Son of God, who became one with us in our humanity did. Jesus embraced humanity all the way even unto his death, even dying on the cross and giving his life for us that we might have the opportunity to be born again, to be one with him, to be deified, and live with him forever. Without the crucifixion, there would have been no resurrection.
Jesus was betrayed, arrested, falsely accused, tried, scourged, and beaten. Jesus carried his cross, was crucified, and with his words, “It is finished” (Jn 19:30), Jesus died. The gift of a crucifix is that it is an icon of the moment of the death of Jesus. Having a crucifix is not a morbid fascination with death, nor is it a rejection of his resurrection. The crucifix is not a magic talisman either, but a sacramental, that helps us to remember the reality of what the Son of God, who became one with us, did. Jesus embraced humanity all the way even unto his death, even dying on the cross and giving his life for us that we might have the opportunity to be born again, to be one with him, to be deified, and live with him forever. Without the crucifixion, there would have been no resurrection.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help” (Romans 4:14-15). The crucifix reminds us that we have a God that loves us so much that he sent his Son to experience all that we experience. Even though he did not sin, he experienced on the cross a time of separation with the Father, the consequence of sin, he experienced what sin feels like, that separation. He can then identify with our own struggles and challenges. We have a God who understands us, intimately. Such that St. Augustine wrote that Jesus understands us better than we understand ourselves.
On this Good Friday, let us spend time venerating Jesus on the Cross, meditating before a crucifix, before this expression of the most intimate act of Love ever expressed in human history. This icon expresses the wonderful bestowal of the grace of God upon humanity, in that it reminds us that we have a God who has experienced and understands betrayal, loss, suffering, pain, anguish, and even death. Jesus is relevant to our lives because he meets us in the chaos and suffering of our own lives.
In making time to be still and looking upon the cross upon which he died, seeing his body slumped and lifeless, we can call to mind the times we have been betrayed, the struggles, trials, pains, sorrows, and losses that we have or are experiencing and enduring right now. We can also recall those times we have betrayed and hurt others with our actions or inactions, as well as caused pain and suffering. With each conflict or experience of injustice, we can be comforted in knowing that Jesus understands because he has experienced them all.
Making time to gaze upon or hold the crucifix in our hands, in times of fear, anxiety, temptation, indecision, and/or when we are in need of forgiveness, can give us the strength and courage to endure or go through what lies before us. Jesus with his arms outstretched represents for us his eternal welcome, that he loves us more than we can ever mess up, that he does not define us by our sins or worst mistakes, and that he loves us more than we can ever imagine.
When we resist running from our trials, our suffering, and our pain, and instead face them, breathe, and slow down, we will find that Jesus is waiting for us with his arms outstretched and wide open, just as he did on the Cross. Jesus meets us in the depths of the whirlwind of our deepest agony, hurts, and confusion, as well as when and where we need him most.
I still remember thinking vividly, in the final weeks of JoAnn’s life when she was just skin and bones, that her suffering was like watching a crucifixion. Yet, she never lost her dignity, beauty, or her grace. JoAnn radiated love for me, our children, and any of those who helped to care for her in her final days. Jesus held each of us up and drew us closer together. Our twenty-three years and especially those final months together has helped me to be a better priest. Able to now better walk with people in their times of challenge and struggle, even death and mourning. God indeed does bring about a greater good from even the worst of circumstances.
This is why we venerate Jesus on the cross today, this is why today is Good Friday, so we remember that death does not have the final word, for Jesus conquered death. This is why we can say with St. Paul, “Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting” (1 Cor 15:55). Jesus did not leave us orphans when he died on the Cross. Jesus conquered death and became the firstborn of the new creation. We are not alone because as St Irenaeus wrote, “Jesus opened up heaven for us in the humanity he assumed.” Jesus is present whether we feel him or not, he is present, understands, and cares, now, always, and forever.
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Painting: Holy Hour with Jesus, my Lord and Savior, who died for me and for you, for each of us.
We too ought to wash one another’s feet.
A key focal point of the last supper narrative in the Gospel of John is Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. Washing feet was certainly a custom in the ancient Near East, for either people walked barefoot or wore sandals. In either event, people’s feet became quite sore and dirty getting from here to there. What accumulated on a person’s feet was also substantial. Washing of the feet was a hospitable way to welcome guests into one’s home. This action though was the most menial of tasks and often performed by slaves or the lowest of servants.
After washing his disciples’ feet and sitting down, Jesus said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet” (Jn 13:13-14). Jesus shared with those who were to carry on his message and ministry that they were not to feel so high and mighty in this appointment. The Apostles, those sent by Jesus, were to look at their ministry as seeking how best to serve others, not seeking to be served themselves.
The ultimate service will be displayed in only a few more days. Jesus’ washing of his disciples feet was a foreshadowing of the ultimate act of humility and service that Jesus would show in giving his life for them on the cross. The most degrading, humiliating, and painful of deaths. Jesus gave his life on the cross as did Peter: “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me” (John 13:8). Peter did not grasp what Jesus was talking about. He followed Jesus on the literal level of the feet washing and much as he did when Jesus told him that he must die, Peter did not understand then either.
Traditionally, this evening at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, select members of the parish will come to have a foot washed by the priests, following the model set by Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. This would remind all of us, as members of the Church, that we are all an integral part of the Body of Christ. Reenacting the actions of Jesus proclaimed in the Gospel, brings the vivid reality of Jesus’ invitation. We are at our best when we are willing to serve, support, and lift one another up. This is to be true when all is well and rosy, in addition to when conflict and challenges arise in the messiness of our daily lives.
Pope Francis, in his homily on April 5, 2020 highlighted this same point: “Dear brothers and sisters, what can we do in comparison with God, who served us even to the point of being betrayed and abandoned? We can refuse to betray him for whom we were created, and not abandon what really matters in our lives. We were put in this world to love him and our neighbors. Everything else passes away, only this remains. The tragedy we are experiencing summons us to take seriously the things that are serious, and not to be caught up in those that matter less; to rediscover that life is of no use if not used to serve others. For life is measured by love.”
We best exemplify Jesus’ washing of the feet when we resist the allure and temptation of pride because our life is not about us. We are not the center of the universe. Jesus shows us a better way and invites us to walk away from the table presenting a buffet of false substitutes for God: pleasure, wealth, fame and power. We are not to curve in upon ourselves either, afraid that our sins are not forgivable. Jesus has not abandoned us and he never tires of loving, forgiving, and serving us. Jesus gave his life for us, and is with us every step of our journey. As we receive and experience his love and forgiveness, may we be more willing to love and serve one another.
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Painting: “Jesus Washing Peter’s Feet” by Ford Madox Brown
When we remember Jesus is with us and for us, we can always change, we can always change course.
As Jesus and his companions shared the Passover, Jesus offered this morsel, “One of you will betray me” (Mt 26:21). I am sure that this bitter herb shifted the mood of the meal and fellowship. Each apostle asked if they were the one to betray him. There is no recorded response, though the assumption is that Jesus says no to each, except for one.
A unique feature about this exchange was that each of the disciples in asking Jesus if they would betray him prefaced their request by calling him, Lord. In doing so, they acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah. When Judas addressed Jesus he called him, Rabbi. He did not acknowledge Jesus as his Lord. Could this be a tell regarding why Judas was willing to turn Jesus over because he did not believe Jesus to be the Messiah, that he too believed Jesus to be a blasphemer?
Jesus’ response to Judas was an affirmation of truth: “You have said so” (Mt 26:25).
Jesus offered this affirmative response two other times, confirming each time the truth presented to him by another. When Caiaphas asked if he was the Messiah and then later with Pilate when he asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews. In answering in the affirmative to Judas, was Jesus giving him the opportunity to look at himself in the mirror? Jesus knew that Judas would betray him, he did not have to make this point known. Judas could have remained silent, yet he asked, as did the others who went before him. Could he have been contemplating shifting his prior determination of betrayal? Was Jesus inviting Judas to acknowledge what he had agreed to do, confess, change course, and ask for forgiveness?
Judas chose his course of action to betray Jesus, and unfortunately, even with Jesus’ intervention, Judas was not able or willing to stop or change course. Judas fulfilled his agreement with the chief priests to turn Jesus over. Often we set a similar course of action and even when Jesus makes an attempt to intercede on our behalf, we do not slow down enough to hear.
God speaks to us in the silence of our hearts but too often we are focused on or diverted by other things and we do not hear. We can instead allow fear, anxiety, pride, prejudice, a grudge, or anger to be our guide. We can be too blind to see or too determined to do it our own way, regardless of the consequences. Habitual reactions can also be a big challenge. We can also buy into the lie that the momentum is already too strong to turn around. That it is too late to change course.
We need to know in the depth of our being, that it is never too late to change course, to make amends, to repent, and to turn back to God. The first step is being willing to be still or aware enough to hear or see his guidance. The second step is to be willing to look in the mirror and see what Jesus presents to us, accept what we see, and then seek his forgiveness and repent. Yet, sometimes we feel we are digging ourselves into a hole that we can’t escape from. The answer is that we need to just stop digging and put the shovel down. Jesus will meet us in the deepest of the holes we have dug for ourselves and when we are willing to stop, he will but us on his shoulders and lift us out!
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Photo: One way to remember Jesus is with us, is to breathe, slow down, and look up.
Will we choose to remain in the darkness or come into the light?
The Gospel reading for today from John is painful on two fronts. First, Jesus said to Judas, “What you are going to do, do quickly” (Jn 13:27). Did their eyes meet at that moment, was there an unspoken appeal from Jesus to Judas, or had that already been settled? Judas aligned himself with Satan and set his course. Worse, he removed himself from Jesus and his companions and it was night.
Reference to night in the Bible is typically not a good sign. This is not only the time of day, it is also the spiritual absence of the light in which Judas has now entered. This night has also begun its descent upon Peter as well, although he is not yet fully conscious of the darkness creeping upon him as well.
The second front appears at the end of today’s reading. Despite Peter’s apparent full endorsement of Jesus and promise to even lay his life down for him, Jesus predicted that “the cock will not crow until” Peter will deny him “three times” (Jn 13:38). The momentum of utter betrayal builds. Judas will agree to turn Jesus over for thirty pieces of silver. He will betray the Son of God, yet in so doing, Judas will play his part in salvation history.
Judas will set in motion Jesus’ arrest that will culminate in his crucifixion. Peter will come to deny Jesus three times as Jesus predicted. I cannot think of any experience worse than the pain of betrayal. Yet, how is it that we betray Jesus each day? Remember what he taught us, “What you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me” (Mt 25:45). Who and how have we betrayed Jesus in our lives? This is an important question to ask, and what is even more important is that we not only answer it honestly but seek forgiveness and resist the temptation of isolating ourselves in our sin and pride.
Judas separated himself, cut himself off from Jesus and his companions. As we read or heard this past Sunday, Judas realized his sin, though he did not seek forgiveness. He chose to isolate himself further and in his despair took his life. Peter, also regretted his sin, his cowardice, he wept when he heard the cock crow, but he also trusted, and later affirmed his love for Jesus three times, atoning for his three denials and was forgiven.
This Holy Week we can choose to walk the path of Judas or Peter. With each humble step may we come to see how our spirits are often willing but our bodies are weak, that we have been wounded by others and acted in kind, so falling short of who God has called us to be in what we have done and what we have failed to do.
Through our awareness of our unworthiness though, we must resist isolating and beating ourselves up, but instead recognize that Jesus has come not to call the righteous but sinners. That is Good News! Jesus has come to save us, free us from our sin. We can begin this Holy Week by repenting and seeking forgiveness, and walk out of the darkness, resist the temptation of isolation, and walk into the light. Confessing our sins, we will be forgiven, we will receive the love of Jesus, so that we can rest and abide there, and continue our journey of healing so that we will become wounded healers like Peter and the apostles!
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Photo: Looking up and to the things of heaven. A good practice for Holy Week and a good way to breathe deep and allow ourselves to be loved by God and experience some healing.
The closer we are to Jesus the easier it will be to give without counting the cost.
“Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil” (Jn 12:3). This is indeed some gift that Mary shares with Jesus, though Judas’ critical response showed that he missed the point of her offering, which went well beyond the material cost of the perfume. Mary even exceeded the gesture of hospitality by going beyond washing Jesus’ feet and anointing them as well. This act of caring could have been a bestowal of appreciation and gratefulness toward Jesus who brought Lazarus, her brother, back to life, but it was even more than that.
In Jesus’ correction of Judas, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial” (Jn 12:7), we may intuit the best source for interpreting Mary’s act. Mary comprehended better than any of the Apostles that Jesus’ death was imminent. Mary’s washing the feet of Jesus, anointing them, and drying them with her hair was a gift of love, of giving herself in service to the Son of God. This exchange mirrors the communion between God the Father, God the Son, and the love shared between them, God the Holy Spirit. Mary follows the will of the Father and plays her part in salvation history.
Martha is also present and seemed to have learned from their last encounter. She is again serving the meal, but this time she is not complaining nor anxious and worried about many things. Judas was the one corrected this time when Jesus told him to, “Leave her alone.” Mary has shown her spiritual growth as well. She is no longer sitting at Jesus’ feet but anointing them for his imminent death. Her generosity in pouring out such a large amount of perfumed oil was evident because the fragrance filled the entire house. Mary’s generosity foreshadowed the generosity of Jesus not just in his eventual washing of the feet of his apostles but ultimately, his total self-gift pouring out all of himself and holding nothing back on the cross.
We do not know how Mary came to possess this precious oil, but what we do know is much more important. She did not grasp or cling to the oil, she did not count the cost and just pour out a little bit. Mary was moved with compassion and generosity. The same compassion and generosity she experienced from Jesus, she was now sharing with him. May we be open to receive the compassion and generosity of Jesus and share without hesitation as he guides us.
Is there something or some way that God is calling us to pour out, not just for the sake of doing so, but in service to Jesus? The path to holiness and sanctity becomes smoother and the way clearer when can identify and let go of that which we are attached and clinging to. May we follow the lead of St. Mother Teresa who said that she sought to be just a pencil in God’s hand. The freedom of the pencil is that it moves and writes as the author does. Would that we become so free in the hand of our loving God and Father.
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Painting: May we follow Mary’s lead to love as Jesus teaches us to.
“Not as I will but as you will.”
Today, we celebrate the Passion of Jesus. The scene from the Passion account that I would like to reflect upon is Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mt 26:36-46). The disciples follow Jesus to the Mount of Olives and once arriving, Jesus withdraws about a stone’s throw from them, and kneeling, he prayed, saying, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will but as you will.” Jesus would pray this prayer again after finding his disciples asleep.
He probably reviewed his life, his simple beginnings with Mary and Joseph, his simple life as a carpenter, and then the past three years of his ministry. Jesus had done all that the Father had asked of him, he preached, taught, healed, exorcised demons, built relationships, and each time his Father requested something of him, Jesus said yes. Now as he pondered one more request, he could probably sense Judas and the Temple guards drawing close. He would be turned over to those who had rejected the will of his Father.
Jesus would say yes yet again, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!”
Jesus could have refused, but he was sent by his Father to become one with us in our humanity so that we could become one with him in his divinity, and that meant all that he assumed, all that he took upon himself in being fully human, he could redeem.
This meant Jesus would also take upon himself our sins, although he himself never sinned. Jesus was willing to follow the will of his Father all the way into utter godforsakenness, experiencing as much as he was capable of experiencing the separation between him and his Father even into death.
With these words of surrender Jesus echoed a verse from Psalms 42 and 43: “Hope in God, I will praise him still, my savior and my God.” Even faced with his death, he trusted that there would be a greater good from the sacrifice of giving his life. Jesus would surrender all.
The God-man, Jesus, arose, and as he approached his disciples he found them sleeping from grief. Jesus was ready to face the cross even if his apostles were not. As he did with the Apostles, Jesus commands us to watch and pray this Holy Week. How many times have we also been in a situation of facing something that is too heavy to bear? We, like the disciples, fall short, for our flesh is weak. Yet, Jesus has faith in us that we will actualize who his Father calls us to be. Jesus still had faith in his apostles who persisted despite their failures and fulfilled their role in God’s plan.
No matter what challenges are before us, let us place our trust in God, as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane.
No matter what personal trials or tribulations, doubts or uncertainties, temptations or needs for healing and forgiveness, let us allow ourselves to be loved by God as we are right now as we are in our poverty, imperfections, and our sins. We are beloved children of God and he loves us more than we can imagine or mess up.
No matter what medical, psychological, physical, mental, emotional, social or spiritual issues, come what may, we are not alone. Let us not be afraid, and place our trust and hope in Jesus, let us praise him still, our savior and our God.
Photo: Let us ponder this Passion Sunday, all that Jesus has sacrificed, suffered, and surrendered for us.
Link for the Mass readings for Sunday, March 29, 2026
The setting sun helps us to remember how Jesus’ life set.
A core group, the Sanhedrin, within the leadership of Israel has decided. They will not deny themselves, their power, prestige, their place. They will not take up their cross and follow Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life. They will not allow the teaching and momentum of the growing number of those following Jesus to continue unchecked. As Passover drew nearer, thousands of people were coming to Jerusalem to purify themselves for the great feast.
This meant that many more centurions would be in place to keep the peace. The division and commotion that Jesus was causing could escalate conflict, unrest, and then swift and violent retribution from the Roman presence. Also, messianic hopes were at a fever pitch during this time. The foundational hope was that the Messiah would come, and amass followers to overthrow the Roman occupiers.
The Sanhedrin, the Jewish High Council, followed the lead of the high priest, Caiaphas, who said, “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish” (Jn 11:49-50). Caiaphas was looking to protect his people. Even if the image of followers amassing around Jesus was people, the Roman leadership could take this for a mounting rebellion, and would come down with swift, cruel force that would not be an eye for an eye.
With these words, they began to plan how to put to death the carpenter of Nazareth. With the words of Caiaphas, the sun began to set on the life of Jesus. These words even affect us still today as they usher in the sunset of our Lenten observance. The gift of our liturgical readings allows us to relive the story of our faith. Lent has given us a time to reflect, to meditate upon who Jesus is. Is he just a carpenter, another teacher, or a holy man from the past? Is he each of these, but someone so much more, the Son of God who became one with us in our humanity so that we can become one with him in his divinity?
Do we see Jesus’ teachings and life as a threat as did the Sanhedrin? Do we like our life the way it is, such that we do not want Jesus to come into our home and start turning over the tables and disrupting our order and comfort? Do the Gospels cut us to the heart and inspire us to shake off our complacency, our indifference, our cynicism, our fear, so to be inspired to acknowledge our sins, to repent, and to begin anew? Are we willing to have our hearts opened such that we see the needs of our brothers and sisters and so are moved with compassion to help?
As Holy Week begins with the Vigil Mass for Passion Sunday may we meditate on the words of Caiaphas, “consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish” (Jn 11:49-50). Caiaphas did not know that what he proclaimed would be so true. The one, Jesus, would die, not only so the nation would not perish, but that all of humanity would not perish and be saved.
Jesus died for each and everyone of us that we might have life and have it to the full. As the sun sets this Saturday evening (or even Friday if you are reading now), may it not be just another rotation of the earth on its axis, but an opportunity to commit once again to make time to ponder and appreciate Jesus dying for us. Let us take up our crosses with Jesus this Passion Sunday, so to die to our false selves, our egos, our self-centered postures, fears, pride, and vices. In dying with Christ, we shall put to death our vices, so to live a new life of virtue and love.
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Photo: As each day ends, may we examine where we have been blessed, said yes to God, and be grateful, as well as acknowledge where we have fallen short, resisted God’s invitation, ask for forgiveness and help to begin again.
Link for the Mass for Saturday, March 28, 2026
Spiritual Stepping Stones 