AUDIO MEDITATION:

Ivan Meštrović (Croatian, 1883–1962), Pieta, 1942-46, marble, 11 feet high, Basilica of the Sacred Heart, University of Notre Dame. Gift of the artist. Photo by Matt Cashore.

FULL TEXT:

Today is a day of silence. The Lord has finished his saving work on the cross. His body has been removed and placed in the tomb. We wait in hopeful expectation for the new work God is accomplishing.

This sculpture from Ivan Mestrovic stands in Notre Dame’s Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and it shows the aftermath of the crucifixion. Notice how the figures surrounding Jesus are clothed, which makes Jesus’ naked body and smooth skin stand out. We can nearly count his bones; we can almost feel the weight of his lifeless muscles. This is the flesh with which God took on our humanity—even to the point of death.

Jesus slumps, lifeless, into the arms of his few remaining followers. Their faces hold longing and sorrow—this is an image of profound grief. Jesus, the center of their lives, is gone, and they don’t yet know the good news that will come with the daybreak. As we wait with them today, can we place Jesus at the center of our lives as well?