But back to the week of Easters. We're reminded each of these blessed days that it STILL IS EASTER by the day's psalter, which is identical to that of Easter Sunday. The same glorious antiphons about the resurrection, and the same psalmody. In fact, Sunday week I of the psalter is used for every solemnity and feastday. This makes it pretty easy to get Psalm 63 (O God You are my God, for you I long) and Psalm 149 (Sing a New song to the Lord) memorized after a while. The Canticle of Daniel is another story. I have been trying to get this one by heart for the last twenty years, and still get tripped up with the "weather verses" in the second strophe. I either mix up "dew and rain" with "shower and dew", or else forget whether "light and darkness" comes before or after " lightnings and clouds".
Probably I will get it all down straight right in time for the new breviaries, which will contain the new Grail psalms translation, and will have to start all over again. But I'm told that this event is at least seven years away, so will not worry about it now.
I hope all of you are having a week of Easters. This is one of only two Fridays of the year when you are not expected to do any penance on Friday, even if it is your habit to skip meat on Fridays year round. Have a steak or some fried chicken this week in honor of the Resurrection. If the kids have finished their Easter candy, buy some more--it's half price this week.
The Lord is Risen, Alleluia!
This is the day the Lord has made. And tomorrow. And the next day.
