Saints + Scripture: Paschal Triduum — Holy Saturday

The Popish Plot
Holy Saturday: "Sympathy for the Devil; or, the Harrowing of Hell"

Commentary: Day ten of "Turn It Up to 11" finds The Popish Plot in Hell! Wikipedia-link Harrowing.

'Tis Holy Saturday, act three of the Paschal Triduum: Saturday-link & Wikipedia-link Saturday; Wikipedia-link Triduum.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of This Night
Mass Readings—The Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter
I. The Book of Genesis, chapter one, verse one thru chapter two, verse two
(or, the Book of Genesis, chapter one, verses one & twenty-six thru thirty-one[a]);
Psalm One Hundred Four, verses one & two; five & six; ten; twelve, thirteen, & fourteen; twenty-four; & thirty-five;
or, Psalm Thirty-three, verses four thru seven, twelve & thirteen, & twenty & twenty-two;
II. The Book of Genesis, chapter twenty-two, verses one thru eighteen
(or, the Book of Genesis, chapter twenty-two, verses one, two, nine[a] thru thirteen, & fifteen thru eighteen);
Psalm Sixteen, verses five, eight, nine& ten, & eleven;
III. The Book of Exodus, chapter fourteen, verse fifteen thru chapter fifteen, verse one;
The Book of Exodus, chapter fifteen, verses one & two, three & four, five & six, & seventeen & eighteen;
IV. The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-four, verses five thru fourteen;
Psalm Thirty, verses two, four, five & six, eleven & twelve, & thirteen;
V. The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-five, verses one thru eleven;
The Book of Isaiah, chapter twelve, verses two & three, four, & five & six;
VI. The Book of Baruch, chapter three, verses nine thru fifteen & thirty-two thru chapter four, verse four;
Psalm Nineteen, verses eight, nine, ten, & eleven;
VII. The Book of Ezekiel, chapter thirty-six, verses sixteen, seventeen(a), & eighteen thru twenty-eight;
Psalm Forty-two, verses three & five & Psalm Forty-three, verses three & four;
or, the Book of Isaiah, chapter twelve, verses two & three, four(b/c/d), & five & six;
or, Psalm Fifty-one, verses twelve & thirteen, fourteen & fifteen, & eighteen & nineteen;
VIII. The Letter to the Romans, chapter six, verses three thru eleven;
Psalm One Hundred Eighteen, verses one & two, sixteen & seventeen, & twenty-two & twenty-three;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verses one thru seven.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, on this Holy Saturday in our Gospel we hear St. Mark’s account of the Resurrection. The Resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the be-all and end-all of the Christian faith. If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, all bishops, priests, and Christian ministers should go home and get honest jobs, and all the Christian faithful should leave their churches immediately.

As Paul himself put it: "If Jesus is not raised from the dead, our preaching is in vain and we are the most pitiable of men." It’s no good, of course, trying to explain the Resurrection away or rationalize it as a myth, a symbol, or an inner subjective experience. None of that does justice to the novelty and sheer strangeness of the biblical message.

It comes down finally to this: if Jesus was not raised from death, Christianity is a fraud and a joke. But if he did rise from death, then Christianity is the fullness of God’s revelation, and Jesus must be the absolute center of our lives. There is no third option.

Video reflection by Harry Dudley, D.Min.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

†

Otherwise, 31 March would be the festival of Saint Balbina, Virgin & Martyr (died circa 130, of Rome), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Hadrian: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Benjamin, Deacon & Martyr (circa 329-424), martyred in the reign of Persian king Bahram V (also spelt Varanes): Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Stephen of Mar Saba, Religious (circa 725-807, A.K.A. the Sabaite): Saint-link, Wikipedia-link, & YouTube-link The True Enlightenment, "Saint of the Week."

Commentary: Nephew of St. John Damascene [4 December], Doctor of the Church.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Christopher Robinson, Priest & Martyr (circa 1558-1598), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link LXXXV & Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Christ is risen! Let us open our hearts to hope & go forth. May the memory of His works & His words be the bright star which directs our steps in the ways of faith towards that Easter that will have no end."
—Pope Francis

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"We must love our nothingness, & think only of the All which is infinitely lovable."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"No one does more harm in the Church than he who has the title or rank of holiness & acts perversely."
—Pope St. Gregory the Great, Doctor of the Church (540-604, feast day: 3 September)