Lectionary readings (Click the links to see the readings): Job 14.1-14 | Psalm 31.1-8 | 1 Peter 4.1-11 | Matthew 27.57-66

Newness of life

Father, I have lost the feeling of your presence. Yet deep in my heart I know that it is not because you left me, but because I have wandered from you.

"All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned everyone to his own way." I confess that I have found that way hard and wearisome. My feet are tired of wandering. My heart is sick of being lost. I would return to you now and be led of you in your way, that I may walk once more with a sense of direction and a clear light upon my path.

O my Father, receive me—your prodigal child; prodigal because I have wandered in a far country, prodigal in my forgetfulness of you, prodigal in all the blessings I have taken for granted. Now, bowing before you, I acknowledge them all.

And now I rise and come back to you, my Father, knowing that you are even now running to meet me, placing over my shoulders the robe of your love, placing upon my hand the ring of your forgiveness, pressing upon me the case of a divine love that knows no limit—a love which loved me while I was yet a sinner—a love that brought Jesus to Calvary.

I thank you for that love; I thank you for this restoration. I thank you that you are still my Father, that I am still your child.

The new person

I know, Father that I must come to you just as I am. But I also know that I do not go away just as I came.

Often I have known failure—failure in the moral realm, failure in ethics, failure in my attitudes, failure in my disposition.

I have confessed all these defeats to you and you have graciously forgiven me. Yet I know, Lord, that merely to forgive me will not suffice. For unless I am changed, I shall do these same things again. At last I know, Lord, that only you can correct that within me which makes me do wrong.

Where I am blind, you must give me sight.
Where I failed to heed your voice, you will have to do something about my deafness.
Even where I deliberately choose to do what I know is wrong, you will have to do something about my will.

So, Lord, I acknowledge my total dependence upon you. Make me over into the person you want me to be, that I may yet find that destiny for which you gave me but. For His help, who is plenteous in mercy, I give you my gratitude.

—The Prayers of Peter Marshall, edited by Catherine Marshall. London: Peter Davies, 1955.

Jesus is buried

J.S. Bach. Ruht wohl, ihr heiligen Gebeine [Rest well, ye holy bones and members], the final chorus, and Ach Herr, lass dein lieb Engelein [Ah Lord, let thine own angels dear], the final chorale, from the St John Passion (BWV 245). Masaaki Suzuki, Bach Collegium Japan.

… both especially suited to Holy Saturday.