A long Holy Saturday
Monday, April 13, 2020 |By Jen Higgins-Newman, BHFH Program Manager
On Friday, my spouse said something that I keep coming back to: “It feels like we’re perpetually living in Holy Saturday.”
Holy Saturday is the day some Christian traditions commemorate the period when Jesus lay in the tomb after he was crucified, before Christ’s resurrection. The period of grief, and tragic loss — before any miracles occurred in this story. This year, Holy Saturday was April 11.
Quakers don’t traditionally “keep days,” (meaning they don’t follow a liturgical calendar) based on the deeply held belief that every day is equally holy.
Right now, although most Christian traditions have celebrated Easter, the resurrection of Christ, I’m lingering in Holy Saturday. The waiting in the unknown and in the grief of what has been lost.
When will I be able to see my loved ones in person again? When will I be able to hug my friends? When will I be able to return to what I consider my normal life? I’m not sure what it will be like to come out of this — or even when that might happen. And that’s okay. I also know I’m not alone in that grief.
Spiritual Practice:
Coincidentally, on Saturday we co-hosted an event with Three Rivers Meeting called “Guided Meditation for Grieving and Healing,” facilitated by Lisa Graustein.
During this meditation, Lisa mentioned that we have all been washing our hands so much more. She encouraged us to take some time to pour warm, soothing water over our hands, and gently rub in some lotion or oil — to treat our hands in a way that is caressing, caring, and nurturing.
For me, the practice of feeling the water run through my hands (not worrying in that moment about scrubbing them free of contagion), in a way that feels like I’m taking care of myself, has been helpful, calming, grounding, and even a way to recognize the grief I am feeling.
You can find other pandemic practices from Lisa Graustein and others here: https://sites.google.com/view/lisagraustein/home
In Light and community,
Jen
