Holy Saturday

Readings for Holy Saturday can be found by clicking here

Reflection by the Revd John Macleod

Today is the day after yesterday, the day before tomorrow: it is a day of stillness, the null point of eternity. For those who had walked the way of the cross, for those who had loved him, Mary his mother, Mary Magdalene, Peter, James, John and the other disciples, this was the day of deepest gloom. Burdened by the ignominy of the crucifixion, not a way for the Messiah to die, inconsolable, borne down by the death of their beloved. Yet even in death his modest followers had done him right service.  Joseph and Nicodemus, treating the holy body with reverence and great courtesy had wrapped him in the swaddling linen of the grave and bathed him in the scent which prefigured the fragrance of heaven. A loving conclusion for an ending which was not yet.

For whilst those who grieved may have covered themselves with dust and ashes, the Lord of Life was busy elsewhere. Tradition is one of the pillars of our faith and it is the understanding of the  Church from ancient time  that on Holy Saturday Jesus descended into hell, laid waste to it and rescued from it Adam and Eve and all those who had died in the intervening time. Their sins, our sins, forgiven. The old Adam rescued by the new, by the first born of all creation. In this image is the hope which enlightens us all. It is for this that the Cross was, made certain in the triumph of the Resurrection.

As we sit today in the darkness of yesterday, we look forward to that which is to come, to the light of Christ banishing the darkness of the world and the desolation of our lives. For tomorrow is the Day of Days when our Lord will banish death forever, and the glint of the new light even now shines in our hearts.

Notices for this Sunday – 15 June 2025 (Trinity Sunday) – and for the coming week.

Services Sunday 15 June 2025 – 10.30 am – Sung Eucharist (Trinity Sunday) (Lanark) Teas & Coffees Teas and coffees will be...

Notices for this Sunday – 8 June 2025 (The Day of Pentecost) – and for the coming week.

Services Sunday 8 June 2025 – 10.30 am – Sung Eucharist (Day of Pentecost) (Lanark) Sunday 8 June 2025 – 12 noon – Kirkin’ of...

Notices for this Sunday – 1 June 2025 (Easter 7) – and for the coming week.

Services (this week)      Sunday 1 June 2025 – 08.30 am – Said Eucharist (Easter 7) (Lanark)...

Notices for this Sunday – 25 May 2025 (Easter 6) – and for the coming week.

Services  Sunday 25 May 2025 – 10.30 am – Said Eucharist (Easter 6) (Lamington) Sunday 25 May 2025 – 10.30 am – Sung...

Notices for Sunday – 18 May 2025 (Easter 5) – and for the coming week.

Services  Sunday 18 May 2025 – 10.30 am – Sung Eucharist (Easter 5) (Lanark) Monday 19 May 2025 – 11.30 am – Funeral of...

Notices for Sunday – 11 May 2025 (Easter 4) – and for the coming week.

Services  Sunday 11 May 2025 – 08.30 am – Said Eucharist (Easter 4) (Lanark) Sunday 11 May 2025 – 10.30 am – Sung...

Notices for Sunday – 4 May 2025 (Easter 3) – and for the coming week.

Services  Sunday 4 May 2025 – 10.30 am – Sung Eucharist (Easter 3) (Lanark) 08.30 am Said Eucharist Please note that this...

Notices for Sunday – 20 April 2025 (Easter Day) – and for the coming week.

Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia! Services  Sunday 20 April 2025 – 10.30 am – Sung Eucharist (Easter Day)...

Notices for Sunday – 13 April 2025 (Palm Sunday) – and for the coming week.

Services  Sunday 13 April 2025 – 10.30 am – Sung Eucharist (Palm Sunday, with blessing of palms) (Lanark) Teas and...

Notices for Sunday – 6 April 2025 (Passion Sunday) – and for the coming week.

Services  Sunday 6 April 2025 – 08.30 am – Said Eucharist (Passion Sunday) (Lanark) Sunday 6 April 2025 – 10.30 am – Sung...
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