I always get a lot from reading Cheryl Lawrie’s blog. She has a contemplative service written for Holy Saturday, which is part of her prison ministry. Here are a few excerpts:
If you are able,
tell God what it is like
to live in the wreckage of dreams that have no life left -
when peace is dead and buried
when hope has gone to hell.
………………
Traditionally
the church doesn’t do worship on Holy Saturday
because God is dead.
We breathe a sigh of relief
now that the crucifixion is over
and wait for whatever comes next.
But the story of Easter
says that after Jesus had died,
things didn’t just pause until Sunday.
Instead, he went to hell.
This is not a time of worship.
Instead, it’s a space
to look for God
in places of hell in our lives, this prison and the world.
………………..
We’re used to things going to hell.
There are too many things we trusted in
that no longer have life:
dreams
hopes
longings
justice
peace
love
If you are able,
tell God what it is like
to live in the remnants of dreams that have no life left -
when peace is dead and buried
when hope has gone to hell.
……………….
God
if you are in our hell
we pray that we will be in your resurrection.
Wow, this is poignantly beautiful. I will send this link to some of my friends, who though not abused or imprisoned, need to understand that hell can be many things – none of which need to be endured – because of THE CHRIST!
Blessings,
Rhoda Berrios