Jesus is laid in the tomb

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.

Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus, along with Nicodemus, who had come to Jesus at night.  He brought a mixture of Myrrh and aloes, weighing about one hundred pounds.  They wrapped the body of Jesus in a clean linen burial cloth, along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom.  Near the place where he had been crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, hewn out of rock, in which no one had yet been buried.  Because it was so close, they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish holy day.  Then they rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and departed. (John 19: 38-42 &Mt. 27: 57-60)

I praise you, Lord, for You drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.  O Lord, my God, I cried out to You and You healed me.  O Lord, you brought me up from the nether world; You preserved me from among those going down into the pit.  Sing praise to the Lord, you God’s faithful ones, and give thanks to God’s holy name.  For His anger lasts but a moment; His compassion is for a lifetime.  At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with the dawn comes rejoicing. (Ps. 29: 2 – 6)

Let us pray.  Almighty and eternal God, on the edge of sadness when all seemed lost, You restored to us the Savior we thought to be defeated and conquered.  Help us to so empty ourselves of self-concern and false images that we might see Your hand in every failing and Your victory in every defeat.  These things we ask in the name of Your Son, Jesus, who lives and reigns forever with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit.

Processional Song:

We remember how you loved us to your death, and still we celebrate for you are with us here.  And we believe that we will see you, when you come, in your glory, Lord.

We remember, we celebrate, we believe!

Stations of the Cross Images courtesy of carmelites.net