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Summary of comments of this office by Dom Schuster, in his work L'année liturgique.
This Sunday the Greek Church gallantly commemorates the pious women who went to the tomb of Jesus to anoint His body; however, there is no evidence that this custom ever entered the Roman liturgy.
The Introït is taken from Psalm 32. The Resurrection of Jesus has come, spreading over the earth His mercies, that is, the sacraments, the charisms, and the graces that foster within the Church the life of holiness and mystical resurrection.
The first versicle of the Alleluia is taken from St. Luke (24:35), where he recounts that the Apostles recognized Jesus at the breaking of the Eucharistic bread.
The second versicle preceding the Gospel (John 10:14) presents in anticipation Jesus who today reveals Himself to us as a good and gentle Shepherd. Today's reading from the Gospel breaks the cycle of readings which for Easter have been taken exclusively from the discourse of Jesus after the last Supper. However the solemn, exceptional character of today's liturgy more than justifies this break from the ancient Roman rule. Besides, the liturgical tradition of the Gospel of the Good Shepherd on the second Sunday after Easter is very ancient. Jesus is presented to us on this day as the Good Shepherd.
The antiphon for the Offertory comes from the morning Psalm 62: "O God, my God, to Thee do I watch at break of day; and in Thy name I will lift up my hands."
The antiphon for Communion repeats the second versicle of the Alleluia: "I am the good shepherd: and I know my sheep, and mine know me."
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