with Fr. Alban Waggener
One of the ancient hymns for the Holy Saturday has the words:
To earth the Master came down to save Adam,
and not finding him on earth,
He descended into the realm of the dead seeking him there.
Adam was afraid when God walked in Paradise.
But now he rejoices when God descends into Hades.
Then he fell, but now he is raised up.
On Passion Sunday, we enter the final two weeks of Lent, which the Church has named “Passiontide,” or “The Season of the Passion.” During these two weeks, the Churchs ancient Lenten course reaches its climax as we contemplate our Lord Jesus Christs death for us on the Cross. As much as it is humanly possible, and with the supernatural help of Gods grace, we are meant to let nothing in this world divert our attention from our Saviors Passion and death as we prepare to celebrate His Resurrection.