The the Church observes Holy Saturday. The day closes with the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter. However, the day itself is considered a time of quiet reflection on the events of the past few days.
In today’s Daily Ignatian Reflection from the Magis Instituet, Father Michael Maher, S.J., writes:
“‘Are you coming back to the house?’ Those of us who have had the benefits of an Irish upbringing recall this phrase, a phrase that ranged somewhere between a question and a command. It is usually uttered graveside by the spouse of the deceased to those gathered around a newly covered grave. This post graveside event is known as the ‘afterwards’ and entailed people returning to the family home of the deceased to reflect on the life and death of the dearly departed.
“No doubt after the crucifixion and the entombment of Christ the ‘afterwards’ included some discussion concerning what had happened. Not yet illumined by the Resurrection, one could image the range of conversation moving among memories, frustration, anger, confusion, and loss. In many ways those of us who have experienced abandonment, confusion, and hurt gather with Mary and the friends of Jesus back at the house for the ‘afterwards.’ Back at the house we share our confusion about suffering, the consequences of when people hurt each other, and the painful separation caused by death.
“Today is Holy Saturday, it is the ‘afterwards’ of Good Friday, a time when we pray and reflect in Mary's house about the events of Good Friday and all that that day means and represents, as it embraces all the losses and hurts in our own lives. Tomorrow is Easter, but that is tomorrow. Today we sit with Mary and her friends with our cup of coffee, eating tuna hot dish and talking about and listening to what God has given us on Good Friday.”
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