He had deeply touched and inspired them like no one else ever had. He taught with authority and never backed down from what he knew was right. He multiplied food and wine and healed the sick. He said he came from God and was going back to God. He forgave sins and offered eternal life. They had grown to know, love and trust him.

Then they put him to death. Now, on this Holy Saturday, his body lay lifeless in a tomb. Their confidence was shaken and fear set in. Was Jesus really the Messiah? Or, was he just like every other human being before that would fade into the earth? If he wasn't the Messiah, how could confidence happen and love replace all fear?

How confident are you of God's love and what it does? Many times our lives can feel like Holy Saturday. We wonder where the saving power is and how it can ease our fears. We are created to know God and be confident and unafraid in that knowledge but it seems to have died in our lives and buried in a dark tomb.

Confidence comes from knowing we can do something - knowing that something works. But, as mortal human beings, we know that no matter how hard we work, it will never work. On our own power, we are eternally helpless. We cannot save ourselves. We want forever but we cannot get there by ourselves. If we are trying to get to forever without Jesus that is where we lose all confidence and fear gains dominion.

As we sit outside the tomb of Jesus on Holy Saturday, we reflect on how much confidence we have in God and what that has done to fear in our lives. Has Jesus died helpless and hopeless just like the rest of us or is God intimately involved in raising him up through which he will offer forever to all.

Holy Saturday calls us to watch the tomb. We learn that we cannot ever save our selves but God does save all who will let him. As we learn this lesson more deeply, our confidence will grow because, in his love for us, God works all for good. Jesus had utter confidence in God and we see what God did for him on Easter Sunday. If we live with that same confidence, Jesus will do the same for us as God did for him.

Blessed by the BEST,

+Fr. John