The Harrowing of Hell —What?
Between Good Friday and Easter Sunday sits Holy Saturday. It’s been known by other names dating back to maybe the eighth century.
I’m not sure the western church gives this particular day much thought, however. It should.
Holy Saturday, is the Christian religious belief and observance that ends the Lenten season, falling on the day before Easter Sunday. The observance commemorates the final day of Christ's death, which many Christians traditionally associate with his triumphant descent into hell or “to the dead”
This Saturday is sometimes called the Harrowing of Hell and is referred to in the Apostles' Creed. In this prayer it re-tells that Jesus "descended into hell” This journey is alluded to in the New Testament and in 1 Peter which speaks of Jesus preaching to "the imprisoned spirits" Really.
So on this Holy Saturday I reflect on the mystery that as the mortal body of Jesus lay in the tomb, His spirit and soul was not at rest. Rather, the Christ was on a prescribed mission, He was about His Father’s business…#pkes