Holy Saturday

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In the prayer below, St. Francis gives us a powerful litany of the Lord's beautiful attributes. As we consider the day of Holy Saturday and the deep sadness that it brought for Jesus' friends, family, and followers, let's consider each of the attributes below and think about how much power they have over death, despair, and darkness. We read in Acts 2:24: But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. The same is true for us with Jesus living inside of us. To paraphrase Romans 8:38-39, nothing can separate us from God's love for us, not even death. Jesus' life shows us the reality of resurrection through being one with the Father in love, trust, obedience, patience, and prayer. On the eve of Easter, let us consider each line of St. Francis' prayer and soak in the reality of His resurrection power. Let your awe for God accumulate in your heart in preparation for tomorrow's release of joy and praise: like light preparing to burst forth like the dawn (Isaiah 58:8). Let us also consider sharing a prayer with someone else today as St. Francis did for Brother Leo, for hope, for peace, for faith, for love, for encouragement, for sharing the good news, for joy, for all of the above.

St. Francis of Assisi's prayer given to Brother Leo

You are holy, Lord, the only God,

and Your deeds are wonderful.

You are strong.

You are great.

You are the Most High.

You are Almighty.

You, Holy Father are King of heaven and earth.

You are Three and One, Lord God, all Good.

You are Good, all Good, supreme Good,

Lord God, living and true.

You are love. You are wisdom.

You are humility. You are endurance.

You are rest. You are peace.

You are joy and gladness.

You are justice and moderation.

You are all our riches, and You suffice for us.

You are beauty.

You are gentleness.

You are our protector.

You are our guardian and defender.

You are our courage. You are our haven and our hope.

You are our faith, our great consolation.

You are our eternal life, Great and Wonderful Lord,

God Almighty, Merciful Saviour.