Fourteenth Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. (Matthew 27:57-61)
Silent Reflection
Holy Saturday Orthodox Liturgy
Joseph went to Pilate, pleaded with him and cried out, “Give me that Stranger who since his youth has wandered as a stranger.
Give me that Stranger upon whom I look with wonder, seeing him a guest of Death. Give me that Stranger whom envious humanity estranged from the world.
Give me that Stranger that I may bury him in a tomb, who being a stranger had no place to lay his head.
Give me that Stranger whose mother cried, out, seeing him dead, ‘My son, my senses are wounded and my heart is burned! Yet, trusting in your resurrection, I praise you!’”
In such words did the honorable Joseph plead with Pilate. He took the Savior’s body and with reverence wrapped it in linen with spices. And he placed you in a tomb, O you who grant everlasting life and great mercy to us all.
Holy God, Holy and mighty, Holy immortal one, have mercy upon us.