Entering the Joy: Easter Entrance Antiphons Easter Thursday

 Entering the Joy: Easter Entrance Antiphons.

He is not here. He is Risen.

Easter Thursday Entrance Antiphon:

“They praised in unison your conquering hand, O Lord, 

for wisdom opened mouths that were mute 

and gave eloquence to the tongues of infants. 

Alleluia.”

(cf. Wisdom 10:20)

 

1. “They praised in unison your conquering hand, O Lord…”

This line evokes the Exodus — the people of Israel praising God after passing safely through the Red Sea. The “conquering hand” refers to God’s power to save, not with violence, but with victory over oppression, slavery, and death.

In Eastertide, we see that fully revealed in Christ’s Resurrection — His conquering hand lifts us from the grave. It’s not just history — it’s happening now, in our own Red Sea moments.

 

2. “For wisdom opened mouths that were mute…”

This is the moment where it gets personal and Spirit-led. In Scripture, wisdom isn’t just cleverness or intelligence — it’s a gift from God that allows us to speak truth, live rightly, and see the world as God sees it.

Wisdom opens the mouth of:

• The hesitant
• The afraid
• The unworthy
• The unsure

Sound familiar? Think of Moses: “But I am slow of speech…” (Ex 4:10). And yet God gave him the words.

This also echoes Pentecost — when the Spirit gave speech to the apostles and eloquence to those who once had none.

3. “Gave eloquence to the tongues of infants…”

This is stunning. The image here is of purity, simplicity, and trust. God doesn’t just use seasoned speakers — He speaks through the humble and small. Even those who seem incapable of speaking can proclaim His glory when Wisdom fills them.

 

Yesterday, I began another series called Come Holy Spirit and I talked about the gfit of Wisdom. If you have not read it yet, you can find it here.   I started with the Gift of Wisdom — and here it is, right in the liturgy, proclaiming its power to liberate, proclaim, and praise.

As I am reflecting on the Entrance Antiphon today and the connection between beginning my blog series Come Holy Spirit, I see this as:

• Wisdom as Resurrection Speech — what we begin to say (and see) once we've passed through death into life.
• Wisdom as Empowerment — God equips the voiceless to speak, the shy to shine, the ordinary to praise with extraordinary grace.

Spirituality in Action

“They praised in unison your conquering hand, O Lord, for wisdom opened mouths that were mute and gave eloquence to the tongues of infants. Alleluia.”
(Wisdom 10:20)

How will I practice this antiphon today?

• Pray for Wisdom — Simply ask: “Holy Spirit, gift me with the wisdom to speak your truth with love today.”
• Notice the small voices — Pay attention to someone who might not usually be heard — a child, someone shy, someone overlooked. Listen to them with reverence.
• Speak when you’d normally stay silent — If there’s a moment where you’d usually hold back — in kindness, encouragement, or testimony — let wisdom open your lips.
• Encourage someone else’s voice — Tell someone you value what they say. Help them feel confident speaking up.
• Praise in unison — Join your voice (even quietly) with others in prayer, song, or shared purpose. Let your unity proclaim God’s conquering hand.
• Journal your own “mute to eloquent” moment — Reflect on a time when God gave you words when you didn’t know what to say.

 

This antiphon reminds us: wisdom is not just for theologians — it’s for the humble, the hesitant, and the hopeful. Let God give you the words today.

 

 Ps Sorry that this blog post is posted later than Easter Thursday.