Antigua hosts many beautiful Lenten traditions. Guatemalans create intricate floats and alfombras (carpets) to symbolize Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Daily processionals allow penitents to reflect and pray. Churches host unique vigils each weekend, centered around different events in Jesus’ life.
One of the most unique traditions occurs on Holy Saturday, the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Also known as “Black Saturday,” this church holiday focuses on Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and her indescribable grief at the death of her son. Every float is carried by women in honor of the Mother of Our Lord.
The final days of Jesus’ life were filled with betrayal, agony, and loneliness. The apostles were noticeably absent throughout his trial and execution. They undoubtedly feared for their lives at the hands of the corrupt Jewish religious leaders and the vicious Roman government. Associating with Jesus could lead to wrongful imprisonment and death. However, the Gospel of Luke repeatedly mentions that women remained at Jesus’s side through his final hours: “The women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things” (Luke 23:49). The Roman government was quick to execute suspected rebels, male or female. Mary and many other women risked their lives to stay with Jesus through hours of suffering. When a righteous Pharisee collected Christ’s body, the women followed him to the tomb. They left to prepare spices and perfumes for burial. Before they could return, the Sabbath began. Though their hearts longed to attend Jesus’ body, they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to God’s commandment.
That Sabbath was unlike any other. Their world had been thrown into chaos. Their Lord was falsely accused, convicted, tortured, and executed. Their religious leaders turned against them. The Roman government was searching for rebels. Were they safe? Should they continue to spread God’s word? Had God abandoned them?
Early the next day, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary, the Mother of James, hurried to the tomb. The stone was rolled away. The body of Jesus was missing. Amidst their confusion, two angels spoke to them: “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again’” (Luke 24:5-7). The women raced back to the eleven apostles to share the good news. The male apostles ignored the women’s story of the empty tomb, believing it “nonsense” (Luke 24:11).
These women followed Jesus for years. They were faithful disciples, willing to risk their lives to honor Christ. They heard Jesus predict his death and resurrection. They witnessed him raise Lazarus from the dead. Why were they shocked by the empty tomb? Why did the apostles refuse to believe Mary’s testimony?
The horror of Christ’s death left his followers shaken. Their grief, anxiety, and anger clouded their vision, blinding them to the promises of God. The night was dark. It felt as though death won. But the darkness did not last forever. The sun rose on an empty tomb. The disciples ate with their Lord again. Mary hugged her son once more.
Many of us have experienced a similar period of darkness. We struggle to trust God’s promises in the face of grief, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and pain. The night seems long and hope far away. But we do not lose heart, because God does not abandon us. Just as the sun rose on an empty tomb, so God is at work in our lives. Christ triumphed over sin and death. Those who trust in him will have eternal life.
As we celebrate Holy Week, may we remember the courage of Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the Mother of James, and the countless other women who supported Jesus through his ministry. We try to follow their example and cling to God even in the face of fear and doubt.
And if we find ourselves in the long night of suffering, may we look to the horizon and remember that the dawn will come again.
