14.
Jesus is Placed in the tomb
Opening Prayer
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you; by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world. Help us to walk in your steps. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- Contemplate the tomb of Jesus. In this moment there is broken hearts and dashed dreams. When was a time your hope was lost–only to be restored a short while later?
- Think of a loved one you have buried–what was it like to walk away from the cemetery?
- The Disciples were scared and hiding after Jesus’ death. Reflect on these times and how they scare you as we “hide” away in our homes. What does it look like to await the Lord in our current state of mind?
The Sacred Story
Matthew 27:57-60
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.
The Candle is extinguished
On Good Friday, Nietzsche was right, God is Dead. But Resurection Morning is right around the corner.
A Prayer
Lord Jesus, as your body is laid in the tomb, our hearts cry out. The light of the world is extinguished. All hope seems lost. We pray, in this moment, that you would give us space to grieve and to mourn. We know the day of resurrection is coming–and for this we long. But, for now, with all that is going on in the world around us, we weep as your light goes out and our hope seems lost. We look to the coming dawn through watery eyes and burdened hearts. Stay with us Lord, for it is evening. In the name of Christ. Amen.