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Great Silence
(Justin Rose)

If we live Holy Week in real time, as if we were the first disciples, then Holy Saturday is the saddest day in history. Although the Gospels say practically nothing about this day (Matthew 27:62), it is a day when all hope is removed from the world and when great confusion takes over.

“What have we been doing for the last three years? Was it all a waste? Is Jesus not who He said He was?” These are questions I think the first Disciples would have asked themselves. (For more proof of these doubts read John 21:3; where Peter returns to his previous life as a fisherman).

When I adapted this song from a hymn, I was thinking about this day from the Disciples’ perspective, a hopeless and confusing day where they lived in constant fear (John 20:19). This is a very important day when Jesus descended into hell and proved that He really was dead, which puts power into His resurrection. He defeated death by death. I was also thinking of its later theological implications, the day when Jesus went down and “snatched the keys” (1 Peter 3:18-22) and demonstrated that He is “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).

lyrics

Great Silence
Words attributed to: Saint Meinrad Archabbey adapted by Justin Rose; Music by: Justin Rose

VERSE 1:
Great silence reigns on earth this day!
A great loneliness embraces all!
For death has had its ruthless way,
And captured the Savior of all.

VERSE 2:
An ocean of darkness has welled in my chest,
Just like Jonah who ran from the God who had blessed him.
And into the water I fall with a crash,
But I pray for a whale who can save.

VERSE 3:
His human body was torn apart,
But His Life and Love now flood the world.
And penetrating to its heart,
The wars of men to unfurl.

VERSE 4:
But Jesus, gone down to the darkest Hell,
Has entered in on Sabbath Rest.
In which He, in His Father’s will
Works wonders for all to be blessed.

VERSE 5:
The bonds and gates of Hell give way,
A great procession comes to sight.
Who leads them is Himself, the Way.
He is the Truth and the Life.

CHORUS:
And oh, the darkness fades, and oh, the break of day.
And all the prisoners freed, for You have snatched the keys.
And oh, lift up your heads, for we have hope again,
For we have seen great Light. And oh!

VERSE 6:
Oh may we, Lord, who yet must die,
Who pray awaiting the great Feast
Of Your arising from the dead
Be joined with You in endless peace.

credits

from Holy Week, released April 8, 2011
Words attributed to: Saint Meinrad Archabbey adapted by Justin Rose; Music by: Justin Rose

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Encouraging the Church through worship. Chicago, IL. Since 2005.

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