No readings today, daytime. Tonight, at the Easter Vigil, we have plenty of readings; but during the day there is no Liturgy, it is a blank day, a long suspense that makes our hearts more vulnerable to the Easter impact. After the sorrowful silence of Good Friday there follows the quiet silence of expectation. We contemplate Jesus leading the repentant robber into Paradise (Lk. 24-43), but withhold the Alleluia till tonight, when we listen to the solemn proclamation of the Risen Lord. We may accompany Mary in her solitude, not in yesterday's grief, but in the deep conviction that something great is going to happen.

The Faith of Israel was founded on God's fidelity to His Word; but often Israel misunderstood the content of God's promises; so the unfortunate events of history led many to frustration. "The scandal of the Cross" was the last frustration, as candidly described by the Emmaus disciples (Lk 24:20-24). Keep on the alert! Tonight God's self-revelation will come to a climax. After that there is no more room for frustration. In our moments of grief resort to God's fidelity; but for the fulfilment of His promises, do not stop halfway: Keep an eye on the last end, and you will be consoled.