Holy Saturday: the Harrowing of Hell
by Martin Sewell, Archbishop Cranmer:
Each Easter, those charged with preaching sermons have the opportunity to refresh their understanding of the story. Being human, not all of us do so each and every year. Life, lethargy and limitations intervene, and sometimes inspiration may simply not arrive. But this year, I began to engage with the story from the point of view of ‘taking responsibility’, and it did not take me to where I expected.
We can all begin by drawing on stories of responsibility being accepted or rejected, either from our own experience, or other people’s. There is something admirable about people accepting their failings. I always remember with admiration the rare political resignation of Labour Secretary of State Estelle Morris, who stood down from the education brief, declaring herself “not up the job”. Responsibility accepted has our respect.
More grimly, at the Nuremberg trials, Adolf Hitler’s minister of Armaments and War Production, Albert Speer, was the only one of the Nazi hierarchy who pleaded guilty to the horrendous crimes in which he was complicit. At least he took responsibility. Alone of that group’s inner circle, he was spared execution.
Holy Saturday arrives in sombre quietness. The sadness and lonely prayer of Maundy Thursday gave way to the drama and horror of Good Friday, but after Jesus’ body has been taken down from the cross and hastily prepared for burial, the Saturday will have found Jesus followers fearful, distraught and trying to make sense of all the confusion of the past week, from the triumphant excitement of Palm Sunday to the emptiness of the post-death quietness. ‘Where does this leave us?’ is the unanswered question.
Today, the reflection on the Easter story may lead us through many layers of the human experience. We may look back on the volatility of the crowd or the cynicism of the Jewish leaders who think it better for one man to be sacrificed for the good of the many. We may contemplate the hubris of Peter who will never abandon his friend, and perhaps contrast his bluster with the quiet strength of the women who stood steadfast and bore witness.
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