For our Patreon supporters: The Maurin Academy’s monthly Communio group will meet this Saturday at 4 p.m. US Central Time, live on Zoom, to discuss Chapter 4 of Hans Urs von Balthasar’s book Mysterium Paschale: The Mystery of Easter. We will post the Zoom link for Maurin Academy patrons on the day. As always, reading is optional–don’t be shy to come if you just want to listen, or want to take part based on your own questions. See our Patreon here.
In the chapter, Balthasar explores the mystery of Holy Saturday—the day of divine silence between the crucifixion and the resurrection. He presents it as the deepest moment of Christ’s solidarity with humanity: Jesus enters fully into the realm of death and godforsakenness, transforming even that place of absence into a site of divine love. For Balthasar, God reaches the very depths of human separation from Himself so that no one remains untouched by salvation–hence the universality expressed in the quote.
About the Author:
Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905–1988) was a Swiss Catholic theologian and priest, widely regarded as one of the most profound theological thinkers of the 20th century. His work bridges scripture, philosophy, and aesthetics to reveal God as self-giving love, culminating in his vast theological trilogy on truth, goodness, and beauty.