Easter Even or Holy Saturday- 1 Peter 3:17-22

Traditional Books of Common Prayer call this Saturday of Holy Week "Easter Even", and following the ancient Church, they keep the day very low key. There is no celebration of the Eucharist during this day (if there is an Easter Vigil Eucharist, it is technically for Easter Day and the consecration should be after nightfall or even after midnight). There are, of course, readings for Morning and Evening Prayer, and there are propers for the Ante-Communion or Liturgy of the Word. This day recalls the time Jesus' body rested in the tomb.

The Epistle from First Peter 3: 17-22 has two main themes: 1) the importance of Christ's death for our salvation, and 2) a relationship between Christ's death and Christian Baptism. This is a good time for us absorb the reality of Christ's death and to give thanks quietly for His atoning work. It is also appropriate to contemplate the ways that Christian Baptism unites us to Christ, His Death, and His Resurrection.

Easter Even or Holy Saturday- Matthew 27:57-66; I Peter 3:17-22

 Traditional Books of Common Prayer call this day "Easter Even," while more recent liturgies use the name Holy Saturday. In either case, it is a very low-key day liturgically. There is no celebration of the Eucharist during this day. [Any Easter Vigil Eucharist is technically for Easter Day and should be after sundown].  Nevertheless, although subdued, this is an important day that should not be ignored.

The Scriptures for the day emphasize the reality of Christ's death and His Sabbath in the tomb, and they call believers to quiet reflection. The Gospel from Matthew 27 begins late Friday with the burial of Jesus, and it shows both the private mourning of Christ's followers and the continued plotting of His enemies. The Epistle from I Peter 3:17-22 speaks of the reality of Jesus' physical death as well as His spiritual survival. Even in death, our Lord continues to minister. He preaches to the dead. I Peter 3:19 (and also possibly Ephesians 4: 9-10) form the basis of the article in the Apostles' Creed, "He descended into hell." In other words, Jesus really spent time among the dead.

So as we look back to the Cross and anticipate the Resurrection, we should not neglect the time between. Except for sin, Jesus of Nazareth fully identified with the human experience. He really died and experienced the separation of body and spirit. That fact indicates the drastic importance of His Resurrection. It is truly powerful and transformative. His time among the dead also means that His Resurrection is more meaningful and hope-filled for us human mortals!

Easter Even- I Peter 31:17-22; Matthew 27: 57-66

 Traditional Books of Common Prayer call this Saturday "Easter Even", while modern calendars  may use the title "Holy Saturday." Following the ancient Church, traditional Anglicans keep the day very low-key. For centuries most churches have not celebrated the Lord's Supper during this day. The Easter Vigil Eucharist is a relatively recent attempt to renew an ancient practice, but it is technically a celebration of  Easter Day, and in ancient times, the consecration took place after midnight. 

Personally, I prefer the more traditional Prayer Book practice of simply reading Morning and Evening Prayer. If a parish wants to add something more, one can use the propers for Ante-Communion or the Liturgy of the Word. The collect for the day has the main themes of Christ's death and resurrection related to Christian Baptism. 

The Epistle from First Peter 3: 17-22 has two main themes: 1) the importance of Christ's death for our salvation, and 2) the relationship between Christ's death and Christian Baptism. The Gospel from Matthew 27: 57-66 is the account of Jesus' burial in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathaea and the authorities sending guards to watch.

These readings drive home the reality of Christ's death and anticipate His resurrection. They also remind us that Christian Baptism unites us to both His death and His resurrection. We die to sin and rise to new life in Christ. This dying and rising takes place at our Baptisms and throughout the life of faith. Such themes make this a good day for quiet reflection. We can give thanks for Christ's redemptive work quietly as we look forward to the joy of new life with and through Him.

Easter Even or Holy Saturday- Matthew 27:57-66

This Saturday before Easter, called Easter Even in the Book of Common Prayer, has traditionally been a quiet day for Anglicans, a time of reflection and preparation. This fact is reflected in the Gospel for the day, Matthew 27:57-66. Jesus has been buried and descended to the dead. The disciples mourn. Wicked human beings are still plotting to contain the crucified Christ in the tomb by sending armed guards to watch. In the meantime, God is preparing to bring about an amazing victory over sin and death!