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Today's Lenten Devotion
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Feast Days
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
-- Romans 8:37-19
Mary Magdalene spent the first Holy Saturday in a fog of grief, suspended between the horror of Jesus' suffering and death on Good Friday and the longed-for/yet dreaded labor of washing and wrapping His body on the first day of the week. She was forced to "cool her heels" on the Sabbath day, forbidden to perform any work, including tender loving care of the dead ... . This is why, in my book, Mary Magdalene is the patron saint of those in the 'tween times between grief and joy.
St. Paul in post-resurrection days would exhort the Christian community, "Always stand ready to account for the hope that is in you." Lobbing the question back in time, what would Mary Magdalene's response have been? Was there any hope within her on that long, painful Sabbath?
I can't know what this Holy Saturday is like for you, dear reader ... . If you are in the sad time after searing loss and before renewed joy, consider this your "feast day." Welcome Mary Magdalene as guest-for-a-day in your heart. No matter what "Good Friday" experience has ground you to a halt emotionally, no matter whose death or departure has chewed up your heart, no matter what loss has left you reeling, hear St. Paul’s assurance: " ... [I]n all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
No, of course we don't feel like conquerors. Grief makes us feel like the vanquished, not the victors. Yet in faith we claim the promise and proclaim that which we cannot prove – to the world or to ourselves: nothing "will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Let us pray:
Holy Father in heaven, we are your shortsighted children. You made us and know us. You see how grief makes it difficult for us to hang onto hope. Gift us with your Holy Spirit, that we may stand ready to account for the hope that is in us, even on the darkest days. On the Holy Saturdays of our lives, infuse us with Easter hope. Grant us grace to adhere to Mother Teresa's wisdom: "Never let anything so fill you with sorrow that you forget the joy of Christ risen." Amen.
Pastor Mary Virginia Olsen
blueiris@bytheshore.com
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