PM: Special Edition--Easter Sunday

While every Sunday is a "little Easter", this is the big one.

I am risen, and I am always with you, alleluia; you have placed your hand upon me, alleluia; your wisdom has been shown to be most wonderful, alleluia, alleluia. 

V. O Lord, you have searched me and known me; you know when I sit down and when I rise up. 

Ps. 138: 18, 5, 6; V. 1, 2

The Introit is the fulfillment of God's promise. He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Emmanuel--truly.

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

V. Praise the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. 

Ps. 117:24; V. 1

The Gradual make note that the day of our salvation is a special day. It it indeed one the Lord has made special.

Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed. 

1 Cor. 5:7

See the image of the Alleluia. The Lamb Who was once was slain is now risen. Death has no power over Him and, by adoption as the Father's children, us. While it actually does follow the Alleluia verse in the Extraordinary form, the Sequence  "Victimae paschali laudes" precedes it in the Ordinary Form.

The earth trembled and was still, when God arose in judgment, alleluia. 

Ps. 75:9, 10

The Offertory notes all creation groaned under the yoke of sin. Christ's resurrection was, in a sense, a sigh of relief.

Christ, our Paschal Lamb, has been sacrificed, alleluia; therefore, let us keep the feast by sharing the unleavened bread of uprightness and truth, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.  

1 Cor. 5:7,8

This is the same Communion as the one for the Easter Vigil. As we begin the Easter season, hopefully we are more than ready for the banquet to come, both on earth and in heaven.