Chants of the Vatican Graduale - MusicaSacra

166 Maundy Thursday
which were wont to be sung at the Passover, hence which Christ also
sang at the Last Supper in the Cenacle. The Eucharist is a miracle, an
honor and a glory to the Church, and a fountain of the richest life. Here
is fulfilled the word of the Lord: "He that eateth My flesh . . . hath everlasting
life." Hence the Church and with her the Christian soul sings:
Non moriar—"I shall not die, but live." I shall attain to a life of eternal
blessedness, and I shall laud the works of God and forever give Him
thanks for the great things He has wrought in me. But the soul is already
inspired to announce the works of the Lord. For in celebrating the liturgy
we recount His works and benefits and give thanks in a manner
which is worthy and just and unceasing.
Finally, this song may also be placed in the mouths of the penitents
who today are again received into the church. The most ancient manuscripts
assign it to the third Sunday post Theophaniam (=Epiphaniam,
q.vj in connection with the Gospel in which the Lord in such a loving
manner stretches forth His hand and heals the man stricken with leprosy.
With evident delight the melody lingers over the word Dextera. Imagine
the sentiments of thanksgiving and profound joy with which the penitents
and their mother, the Church, prayed these words at the moment
of reconciliation! Consequently the text permits of various interpretations.
In this manner we see how the liturgy can be made ever to bear
new fruit. Renewed observation and contemplation of its peculiarities,
its texts, and its melodies always reveals new relations, thus producing
new and profound joy.
COMMUNION (John 13: 12, 13, 15)
1. Dominus Jesus, postquam 1. The Lord Jesus, after he had
coenavit cum discipulis suis, lavit supped with his disciples, washed
pedes eorum, et ait illis: 2. Scitis their feet, and saith to them: 2. Do
quid fecerim vobis, ego Dominus et you know what I, your Lord and
Magisteri 3. Exemplum dedi vobis, Master, have done for you! 3. /
ut et vos ita faciatis. have given you an example, that so
you do also.
In ancient times slaves washed the feet of their lords, and no special
significance was attached to the action. It is entirely different when the
"Lord Jesus," the "Lord and Master," performs this service—He of
whom the Gospel of the present day speaks with such majesty: He
knew "that the Father had given Him all things into His hands, and
that He came from God, and goeth to God." For this reason the Communion
begins on the dominant of the mode; and the return to this