1. Through the night of doubt and sorrow,
onward goes the pilgrim band,
singing songs of expectation,
marching to the promised land.
Clear before us through the darkness
gleams and burns the guiding light;
pilgrim clasps the hand of pilgrim
stepping fearless through the night.
2. One the light of God's own presence
on the ransomed people shed,
chasing far the gloom and terror,
bright'ning all the path we tread.
One the object of our journey,
one the faith which never tires,
one the earnest looking forward,
one the hope our God inspires.
3. One the strain that lips of thousands
lift as from the heart of one;
one the conflict, one the peril,
one the march in God begun.
One the gladness of rejoicing
on the far eternal shore,
where the one almighty Father
reigns in love forevermore.
4. Onward, therefore, sisters, brothers;
onward, with the cross our aid.
Bear its shame, and fight its battle
till we rest beneath its shade.
Soon shall come the great awak'ning;
soon the rending of the tomb!
Then the scatt'ring of all shadows,
and the end of toil and gloom.
***
Holy Saturday is a singular day. The raw emotions of Good Friday give way to a kind of numbness and depression. Although the grief of the crucifixion is still there beneath the surface, our lives slowly return to some semblance of normal, or as close to normal as we can manage. This day is a metaphor for our Christian life between the cross and Christ's final, triumphant return in glory. What shall we do as we wait God's consummation of creations, old and new? The hymn writer urges us not to scorn or forget the cross. Rather we are to "bear its shame" in this world, fighting against all enemies of God and all the false gods until we lay down from this struggle, and rest in the shadow of the cross of Christ.
Until you return in glory, Oh Lord, be with us and help us to do your will on earth. Amen.
Mark Granquist
Associate Professor of Church History, Luther Seminary
Until you return in glory, Oh Lord, be with us and help us to do your will on earth. Amen.
Mark Granquist
Associate Professor of Church History, Luther Seminary
The Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
***
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