Chants of the Vatican Graduale - MusicaSacra

Second Sunday after Easter l&l
seconds and avoids all larger intervals. What a contrast to the impetuosity
of a Thomas with his pretentious demands! The Good Shepherd very
carefully frees the erring lamb from the thorns in which it is entangled.
The piece must be sung very devoutly and tenderly. And yet, with all
its simplicity, it has its contrasts. Inserted among the Saviour's words
we find a comparatively florid and bright alleluia, with which the melody
also reaches its peak. At the end are two alleluia, which likewise extend
to high b\>. There is also an interval of a fourth between fidelis and
alleluia. These alleluia are the jubilant thanks of the Church for the
Saviour's goodness.
Also to us the Risen One directs these words: 'Tut in thy hand."
In early times the Christians were wont to receive the Holy Eucharist
in their hands. Our faith enables us also to touch His sacred wounds
and united with Him we cry out in sincere thanksgiving: "My Lord and
my God, alleluia!"
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
INTROIT (Ps. 32:5, 6)
1. Misericordia Domini plena est 1. The earth is full of the mercy of
terra, alleluia: 2. verbo Dei caeli the Lord, alleluia: 2. by the word of
firmati sunt, alleluia, alleluia. Ps. the Lord the heavens were established,
Exsultate justi in Domino: * rectos alleluia, alleluia. Ps. Rejoice in the
decet collaudatio. Lord, ye just: * praise becometh the
upright.
Tender and mellow tones (thrice the half-tone interval recurs) which
sing of God's mercy mark the beginning of this piece. For today is the
Sunday of the "Good Shepherd." Everything breathes of His goodness
His love, His understanding pity. He knows His own. He acknowledges
every indication of good will; He recognizes our weakness and knows
how to have compassion on us. All the earth must in very deed praise
His merciful love, for He has given His life for everyone. Than this there
is no greater love, as He Himself has declared. The melody develops
very gradually. The notes d-f at the beginning become e-f-g over D6-
(mini) and f-a on the third syllable of alleluia, yet so that the first phrase
rests on /.
A more energetic spirit is evidenced in the fourths of the second
phrase and the accent on g. We are speaking here of God's almighty fiat
This one word sufficed to stabilize the heavens. But to unlock for us the
heaven of divine mercy, the Word of God went to a most cruel death..