21st Century. To be more precise, 30th March, 2024.

Being Roman Catholic, I observed, attended and participated in the Way of the Cross and Good Friday service. This was one of those times when I was deeply engrossed in the 14 stations; not merely a participant or spectator.

I have begun writing or to be more precise, thumb-tapping on my Fold 5, this article in church. No, this is not Friday (the same day). It is the day after, Saturday.

It was not just raining, or pouring cats, dogs and hippopotamuses; the rains of the whole world seemed to have concentrated in this small area (what drama!). We had to drive through floods of about 8 inches to 10 inches high. We got almost to the front gates of the church, and double-parked. Not unusual, as parking is scarce (what you will more commonly hear is “parking is so limited”). There was already a second line of cars, double-parked; and I just followed the guy right in front of me. As if this was the end of our rain problems.

A fast flowing stream of water was rushing to get to the other side. Why? I don’t know. This fast moving stream of water on the side of the road at the entrances of the church, was about 3 to 4 inches deep and about 6 feet wide. There was no way anyone was going to hop across this stream without stepping in it unless one was a long distance jumper athlete. Picture this: everyone in their Sunday’s best (in this case, it is Saturday), trying to avoid this fast moving stream, by gently tippy-toeing or wading through, hopping or skipping across it. And failing miserably. To add more colour to this scene: they were holding umbrellas, too. Those sharing umbrellas, were trying to rehearse their “1-2-3-Go” crossing on the spot. All without success. I managed to skip across with a couple of steps. And that was just getting into church!

So, yes; I am sitting in the pew with my wife, Jeannie; and her mother; about an hour before the Easter Vigil mass starts. As we settled in, I begin thinking about the Good Friday service yesterday. I pictured myself at the scene of Jesus’ crucifixion. And I wonder. What happened in the three days from Friday of the crucifixion, right through “He has risen”?

I am not a theologian or historian. However, because I have written on many subjects of interest, and have done some research whenever I could; I have become more inquisitive. To every answer, I seem to have more questions to ask. In this essay, I wondered what went through the minds of people. I am not attempting to give a historical account as it has already been written. What I am attempting is to try and understand the period from the time that Jesus was laid in the tomb to the time of His resurrection.

There were four sets of people:
The first was Jesus, His mother, His dear friends and followers.
The second was the lynch mob, most of them herd-followers for sure.
The third set of people were the soldiers.
The fourth set were the two criminals who hung on crosses, on the left and right of Jesus.

I would presume that the lynch mob and the soldiers would have dispersed after the show of Jesus’ death was over. The two criminals would have died, at one point, too.

I would like to focus on His mother, His dear friends and followers. These were the people who were asked to believe. They did not have someone to tell them, 3 days later; this happened. They were in the presence, the now of Jesus’ death. He told them that He would rise again. Mother Mary, in the moments of deepest pain and anguish; I believe, she knew without a doubt, that He would. What about the others? They were humans.

There were no computers, calculators or other forms of proof that He would surely rise. What were going through their minds? 3 days at that point of time must have been like 30 years. How do you believe in someone who has just died in front of your own eyes? The person whom you have spent the last few years, giving your all to His cause?

The test of time. It must have been darkness throughout those 3 days. Awaiting the Resurrection.

NOTES:
In this article, I do not attempt to alter what has been written. I do not attempt to challenge it too, as I am not qualified and do not have any form of in-depth explanation. I try to put myself in the scenes of those times, and understand how ordinary folk of that time experienced their lives.