Readings for Holy Saturday
This reflection was shared at Sacred Saunter Outdoor Eucharist on Holy Saturday April 16, 2022 at Sequoia Park in Eureka.
“For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease. Though its root grows old in the earth, and its stump dies in the ground, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth branches like a young plant. But mortals die, and are laid low; humans expire, and where are they?” (Job 14:7-10).
Trees are the central image at the beginning of the Bible and at the end of the Bible; and also right in the middle of the Bible. The Psalmist describes the tree planted by streams of water and Job describes this same tree. When Job looks around at the natural world, particularly at trees, he sees new life emerging from death (“at the scent of water it will bud”). Those trees that we heard fall like last Saturday will likely be part of the creation of new life, putting forth shoots like a plant. However, Job does not see this same phenomenon occurring among humans. Ever since Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, humans have been condemned to death. “Mortals die, and are laid low; humans expire, and where are they?”
On this Holy Saturday, we remember the reality of Christ’s death. Christ, who died on a tree, was laid low and buried. Like all humans, he expired. On Holy Saturday, Jesus Christ is dead; and his disciples are without hope.
But there is hope for a tree. On the Cross, Jesus brought together the Tree that condemns to death and the Tree of Life, which was also in the Garden of Eden, and which is described in the last chapter of the Bible (Revelation 22) as a tree planted by the river that flows from the throne of God, a tree whose leaves heal the nations.
We see signs of hope in the trees and in the natural world. As we proceed to our next station, I invite you to let these trees fill you with hope on this Holy Saturday.
DANIEL DeFOREST LONDON 