The Episcopal Church Welcomes You
SITE MAP · QUESTIONS Search: 
logo_EPPN
  HOME » Episcopal Public Policy Network 

Join EPPN Today
Register
Update Membership Info

 


FOURTEENTH STATION: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

The Lamentation over Christ
Nicolas Poussin, 1655-57
Oil on Canvas

  

 
 At the end of the story of Good Friday, nothing but death remains.  Humanity has brought God’s Son to the tomb, sealing him behind an immovable stone.  But to God, through whom all things are possible, no barrier is immovable.  Through the sacrifice and death of Christ, even death itself is no longer a barrier to life for the children of God.  And thus, the burial rite in the Book of Common Prayer tells us, “Even at the grave, we make our song: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!”

 As you meditate upon Jesus in the tomb, consider that the Church – the Body of Christ in the world – is called by God to carry forward Christ’s reconciling sacrifice by helping bring life even in the midst of death.  One way we do this is through fidelity to our Baptismal covenant, in which we promise to “strive for justice and peace, and respect the dignity of every human being.”

 To get involved with The Episcopal Church’s ministry of public advocacy, visit the Church’s Office of Government Relations and join the Episcopal Public Policy Network at www.episcopalchurch.org/eppn.


Officiant:              We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
People:                  Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Officiant:              When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb.

Officiant:              You will not abandon me to the grave:
People:                  Nor let your holy One see corruption.

Officiant:              Let us pray.

O God, your blessed Son was laid in a tomb in a garden, and rested on the Sabbath day: Grant that we who have been buried with him in the waters of baptism may find our perfect rest in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever.

People:                  Amen.

All:                         Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.

X