Holy Saturday is a strange day. It seems like a pause in the Sacred Triduum. On Maundy Thursday we celebrate the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the priesthood. On Good Friday we celebrate the Lord’s Passion. Then Holy Saturday morning comes and – what to do? Again, it seems a pause in the Triduum between Good Friday and the Easter Vigil.

Jesus is in His tomb. But not really. He is active even still. It is not so much emphasized in the Western Church, but this is the time of the Harrowing of Hell. Jesus descends to the “Hades of the Righteous” to preach the good news to them and to break the gates of hell and raise those righteous men and women who preceded Him, so that they, too, may reap the rewards of His resurrection.

1 Peter 5-6 speaks of Christ standing ready “to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to the dead that, though condemned in the flesh in human estimation, they might live in the spirit in the estimation of God.” Those dead to whom Christ preached are those saints of the old covenant, as well as those who heard Jesus Himself preach the good news and followed Him, but died before His passion, death, and resurrection. He went to the Hades of the Righteous to preach to all the dead there the good news of salvation through His sacrifice. They heard this good news, embraced it, and Christ broke the doors of hades and brought them to glory.

The Apostles Creed declares “he descended into hell.” This is the faith of the Church. This day is not a pause in the Triduum. It is the day when Christ descended into hell and preached the good news to the dead. He is judge of “the living and the dead.” He rescued them from their long-awaited salvation. Those who came before us in the old covenant and those who died after hearing the good news from Jesus Himself are not abandoned by God, but redeemed as well according to the new covenant. Praise God from whom all blessing flow! Praise Him who abandons none of His servants, those under the old covenant or those under the new. God raises them up with Christ the Victor.

Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all.