So many of us are in the middle of a transition right now.  We have experienced a Good Friday moment in our lives where we have experienced some sort of loss.  Our Good Friday moment could be anything from a move to a new city, a new point in one of our relationships- engaged, married, or broken up, a loss of a loved one, a loss of an old job or simply taking on a new job, taking on the new role of parenting, starting college, and on and on.

Last night, a team of 9 young adults (18-39) gathered at our parish so we could begin to plan a Charis Retreat that helps us journey through the idea of Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday moments in our lives.  As we shared the various transitions we are experiencing, we shared how hard it is to wait in the Holy Saturday moment of our lives.  We have experienced a loss, and perhaps the Easter Sunday moment has not yet come.  Perhaps, we are not fully aware of what the new life will be yet that has come from our loss.  That moment is the “Holy Saturday” moment.  That moment when Jesus was in the “tomb”- not yet risen. 

The question we posed to each other last night was:  How do we wait in hope in that Holy Saturday moment?  How do we remain hopeful that new life will come?

Several ideas surfaced last night, and I know there are many more out there.  As I think about it this morning, I am reminded of how gathering a small community of people to dialogue about such questions is one way I can remain hopeful in this Holy Saturday moment in my life. Thank you to all those who gathered with us last night.  You helped my hope grow last night!

Are we experiencing a Good Friday, Holy Saturday, or Easter Sunday moment in our lives?
How are we remaining hopeful in that Holy Saturday moment?  What do we need to grow our hope? 

Becky Eldredge

Becky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and writer. She is the author of the Busy Lives and Restless Souls (March 2017, Loyola Press) and The Inner Chapel (April 2020, Loyola Press). She helps others create space to connect faith and everyday life through facilitating retreats and days of reflection, through writing, and through spiritual direction. With nearly twenty years of ministry experience within the Catholic Church, Becky seeks to help others discover God at work in the every day moments of people’s lives by utilizing St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and the many gifts that our Catholic faith and Ignatian Spirituality provide.