The readings of the Mass in this week are truly inspiring but all too quickly over. This is why they cannot just be read, every word has to be mulled over and considered. What does it actually say? What does it say to me? What do I say in reply?

But what caught my eye in the Office of readings today was the glorious hymn we sang at the end of the great Easter Vigil. I started to learn the words, repeat them, and sing them to myself. They bring back happy memories of the Easter Triduum and a depth of religious feeling rarely if ever surpassed for the rest of the year.

Why cannot this single moment, the triumph of life over death, endlessly repeat itself? But as I heard in the homily today, the Easter story is not just an historical event, it is for here and now repeated every day in our minds.

Finished the strife of battle now,
Gloriously crowned the victor’s brow:
Hence with sadness, sing with gladness:
Alleluia, alleluia.
After sharp death that him befell,
Jesus Christ hath harrowed hell:
Sing we lauding, and applauding:
Alleluia, alleluia.
On Easter morning he arose,
Shining with victory o’er his foes:
Earth is singing, heaven is ringing:
Alleluia, alleluia.