Unknown to those who removed the body of Christ from the cross, he was fulfilling the promises made to our ancestors by opening the gates of Heaven. To our friends here on the hill though, there was a job to be done. The centurion who saw Christ and believed would have given permission for the body to be removed, for that was his job and as the sabbath was coming, they would not want the body there for any longer than possible. As any undertaker will tell you, speed is of the essence with dead bodies. His cold, lifeless body was taken from the cross and the journey to the tomb begun. There is little more to say than this - have faith! Have faith that even the dead body of Christ, cold and weighing heavy on them, did not stop his friends from hoping and keeping a spark of belief. We each have things to do in our lives, and for these men and women, it was keeping faith when faith seemed dead.
Don't give up. Keep going, for just over the horizon for them, there was a bright and glorious day. Just over the horizon for us may be anything, but we should always live in the light, because we live in the day and are children of the light, even when the darkness is all around. Sometimes, you see, when the darkness seems to encroach, it is because we are in a dark place, our faith should be enough to lead the way, even though sometimes we do not wish to go where it leads us, just as Jesus must have not wanted to embark on this journey.
V. Her tears run down her cheeks.
R. And of all who are dear to her, there is none to comfort her.
Let us Pray.
O God in whose passion according to the promises of Simeon, a sword of sorrow did pierce the most sweet heart of the glorious virgin mother Mary, mercifully grant that we, who devoutly call to mind the suffering whereby she was pierced, may, by the glorious merits and prayers of all the saints who have faithfully stood below the cross, obtain with gladness the blessed effects of thy passion; who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.
Of your charity, pray for the souls of Marie Rigby and Kathleen Booth.
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