Why Do We Wait? A Reflection on Single Catholics and Holy Saturday

Have you ever wondered why Jesus didn’t just rise from the dead immediately?

I have. I understand the importance of His terrible, scandalous crucifixion and its beautiful fulfillment in the Resurrection. Every Lent, I dread Holy Friday and how hard it is—hard physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And I always can’t wait for Easter—the relief in breaking your Lenten fast, the beauty of the church (flowers, again!), and the celebration with family. But what about that one other day squeezed in between the two: Holy Saturday? Why doesn’t the Church just have us jump from one right to the other?

Well, firstly, because that’s not how it really happened. Jesus was a real person in a real place and when He really died and then rose from the dead, it didn’t happen right away. We know that it was “three days later,” although in reality, it might have been 12 hours or 72 hours. And in that space of time, both in reality and theologically, God had work to do.

There is purpose and holiness in the waiting periods. And the apostles experienced this more than anyone.

What work did God have to do in us? In the hearts and minds of the apostles who knew Him so well? What purpose was there in leaving Peter and John and all the others at a total loss at what had happened?

Perhaps it was because there is holiness in trusting and waiting for God to reveal His plan. It requires an act of faith to wait with great anticipation for His plan to be revealed, even if while waiting, there is no answer or clear direction.

We know the apostles felt lost in the days after Jesus was crucified. Consider their reaction from our upcoming Easter Gospel reading when they finally see the empty tomb: “Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned home.”

They didn’t understand he had to rise from the dead. And they obviously didn’t quite get it because after seeing the empty tomb, they just went home. And then, Jesus has to appear to them three times after being raised from the dead, maybe because they didn’t believe it the first time (remember Thomas’s reaction?).

Sometimes, God's plan for us includes feeling a little lost or uncertain.

God could have made this happen differently. He could have given the apostles knowledge ahead of time of what was to come. Or not made them wait so long. Or sent the Holy Spirit sooner. Or any number of things! But He didn’t.

His great, perfect plan included letting his beloved apostles feel lost, abandoned, uncertain, and scared for a time. He made them wait on Him and His plan and in doing so, proved to them that He was God and His ways were not their ways; that He loved them deeply; and ultimately, that in His time, He would reveal all things to them.

Being single can feel a lot like waiting on Holy Saturday.

It’s a longing for what is to come—but what is to come? It can feel disorienting and aimless—what is God’s plan? It’s an “in between” time that can feel empty or purposeless (what do people do on Holy Saturday besides wait for Easter?). But God’s plan is never random or empty or purposeless. He has a great purpose for your life, and for whatever reason, it includes a chapter of waiting and longing and anticipation.

So, perhaps your time of waiting is a time of preparation. What areas of your life need to be refined? What virtue might you need to grow in before getting into a romantic relationship?

Or perhaps your time of waiting is for healing. Are you still attached to your ex? Do you need to heal from your divorce? Does the death of your spouse still feel raw? Are you struggling with addiction to alcohol, drugs, or pornography? Do you have a mental illness that’s making you very sick right now?

Or perhaps your time of waiting is because God has a different plan for you than you have for yourself. Or perhaps you do not understand the purpose of your time of waiting. It may never make sense. Whatever your experience, it’s hard to be alone.

But remember, Jesus, God Himself, made even His very best earthly friends wait and feel some of what you are feeling.

And we know that even in those moments, He never abandoned them and His story for them wasn’t over. In fact, for most of them, it was just beginning! God’s plan and story for you isn’t over, even if it feels like you’ve been waiting a long time. Trust in His plan for you, that He will reveal it in His time, and that He has a great Easter-like celebration for you coming.

“Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything.”