Living with uncertainty

Holy Saturday is a waiting day. We who are removed from the story by a couple thousand years know what this is leading to, but those who experienced the Crucifixion and death of Jesus had, we are told, no idea of what would happen on that first Easter day. They waited, not knowing where to go next, not knowing whether they were safe, not sure of what the loss of their friend and rabbi would mean for the movement he had begun. 

And they waited, together, in the not-knowing. They held to one another, they shared their sadness and loss, they shared their fears and anxieties. Their courage was in waiting in the uncertainty - not seeking easy answers or explanations, but waiting and holding space together. 

Scripture

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
   whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
   of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me
   to devour my flesh—
my adversaries and foes—
   they shall stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me,
   my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
   yet I will be confident.

One thing I asked of the Lord,
   that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord
   all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord,
   and to inquire in his temple.

For he will hide me in his shelter
   in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
   he will set me high on a rock.

Now my head is lifted up
   above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
   sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud,
   be gracious to me and answer me!
‘Come,’ my heart says, ‘seek his face!’
   Your face, Lord, do I seek.
   Do not hide your face from me.

Do not turn your servant away in anger,
   you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,
   O God of my salvation!
If my father and mother forsake me,
   the Lord will take me up.

Teach me your way, O Lord,
   and lead me on a level path
   because of my enemies.
Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
   for false witnesses have risen against me,
   and they are breathing out violence.

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
   in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
   be strong, and let your heart take courage;
   wait for the Lord!

Psalm 27

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Artwork- Holy Saturday, by Roxolana Luczakowsky Armstrong,