Holy Saturday, March 26, 2016

Today’s Reading  |  Luke 23:50–56
Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment. (NRSV)

Reflection
Do you wonder what Pontius Pilate would think about the fact that we recite his name every Sunday in the Apostle’s Creed? More than two thousand years later, all over the world, the followers of Jesus Christ remember the name of the man responsible for his death, and I suspect that the generations that follow us will continue with this important collective recitation.

In his book, The Road to Character, David Brooks writes about the difference between your “resume” self and “eulogy” self. The resume self tends to show your career-oriented and ambitious nature. It’s based on how you hope people see you. The eulogy self is the internal side of your nature—focused on love, sacrifice, and service to others. Think of some of the best eulogies you’ve heard and recall that you may not have known all the good qualities of the person being eulogized.

On this Holy Saturday, a day of rest while we await the joy of welcoming the risen Christ, think about how you would like the world to remember you. Perhaps Pilate would have chosen a different path if given the chance.

Prayer
Lord of all creation, help us to nurture our eulogy selves. God of all humankind, your Son is not forgotten today or any day. His love and sacrifice for us is our inheritance. May we renew our pledge today to use it wisely. Amen.

Written by Lesley Conzelman, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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