Page 34 - THE CHURCH BEFORE THE MOCKING WORLD

CHAPTER ELEVEN
The Beauty Power and Un-impeachability of Innocence
Holy Saturday for the sensitive soul is a difficult day in terms of reflection within the spiritual journey of Holy Week.
The Nicene Creed speaks of Our Lord Jesus Christ descending into hell. Other creeds speak of his descending into the grave.
It is probably one of the most un-talked about aspects of the Death and Resurrection narrative.
It may be helpful to view this in a slightly different way. Let us look at the concept of the liminal state when the Holy Body of Jesus passes into the grave. The Body of Jesus is no longer in its pre-death condition, but has not yet entered into its Resurrection state. From this we can learn and receive something precious, in terms of devotion, for this Holy Saturday.
The focus is upon the Holy.
Holiness is often presented as something that is harsh and uncompromising. A type of vector that pours forth sinless radiation and that destroys all that is alien in its path. If you try to visualize holiness like this you see undiluted and focused anger. Sadly, often with you as the object of that anger.
In some ways one can understand how this evolves in our thinking, but the mistake is the distinction between Holiness, in relation to sin, and Holiness as an essence; in and of its self. Remove the sin in relationship to Holiness and then look again at the essence of that Holiness.
Holiness in its essence is a scintillating, gentle, pure, loving and undefiled innocence. One legitimate description of the Holiness of God is the Innocence of God.
Innocence has unspeakable beauty. Think of seeing a baby born, it often causes us to weep because it is so innocently beautiful. Jesus washing the feet of His Disciples, or our holding, with profound wonder the Cup of the Eucharist embodies innocence.
Something within us breaks like the alabaster box of perfume in Mary?s hands. The scent of loveliness and sweetness fills the space wherein we dwell.
Innocence is the central feature of Holy Saturday. There is only silence and sadness when all that is precious, good, and pure has been forced into death because Holiness and sin can never co- mingle.
Sin must always seek to destroy innocence.