Entering the Joy: Easter Entrance Antiphons.

Easter Saturday:
In the secular world, Easter Saturday is wrongly referred to as the Saturday before Easter Sunday. This is really Holy Saturday for Christians. If we think about the logic of it, we cannot have Easter Saturday before Easter Sunday- before Christ has risen from the dead. So, Easter Saturday is today- the Saturday in the Easter Octave- the Saturday after Easter Sunday.
Easter Saturday – Entrance Antiphon
“The Lord brought out his people with joy, his chosen ones with shouts of rejoicing, alleluia.”
(Psalm 104:43)
This antiphon is still Exodus language that we had earlier in the week. which is a reminder for us to celebrate how God brought Israel out of Egypt.
However in this antiphon on Easter Saturday, the focus here is JOY and IDENTITY:

“His people” – belonging

“His chosen ones” – identity

“With joy” and “shouts of rejoicing” – expression of liberation and new life

This is a victory song — not a quiet procession, but a joyful, boisterous movement of a people who know they have been set free. As we reach the final day of the Easter Octave, the Entrance Antiphon bursts with a spirit of triumph and belonging. God is not distant. God is not vague. He knows His people by name. He leads them out — not with a weary sigh, but with joy, with shouts of rejoicing.
You are not random. You are chosen. You are claimed. Even on days when you feel flat, heavy, or tired, this truth stands: The Lord has brought you out with joy.
Today’s antiphon reminds us that rejoicing is not always loud laughter — sometimes it’s the deep, steady heartbeat of knowing: I belong to Him.
Even when we don’t feel full of energy, our faith tells us:

Spirituality in Action

Whisper a quiet “Alleluia” at some point during the day — even if it’s just for yourself and God.
Light a small candle or sit in the sun for a few minutes, just resting in the joy of being God’s chosen.
Pray for someone who feels lost or forgotten — that they, too, might know they are chosen.
Remember one moment from this Easter Week when you glimpsed even a flicker of joy. Hold onto it.
Smile, even if softly — a sign to yourself and to heaven that you are one of His.
Make the sign of the cross on your forehead and hands today and say the words used in baptism when the priest baptises a child' I claim'( your name) for Christ. Claim yourself again for Christ with the sign of the Cross.
When you say "Alleluia" at Mass today, say it with the awareness: "I am among the chosen ones."
Smile deliberately — let your face witness Easter joy.
Recall a moment you felt truly loved — thank God for it.
Say aloud: “I am Yours, Lord. You have brought me out with joy.”
If you're feeling weighed down, still whisper: “Alleluia” — as a choice, not a feeling.

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