Chants of the Vatican Graduale - MusicaSacra

Third Sunday after Pentecost 255
great tension. One is almost tempted to say that the lamb on the shoulders
of the Good Shepherd is singing its song of thanksgiving in a reserved
and unostentatious manner, and is urging us to trust in God. It
has understood what today's parable wishes to teach; it has come to
know the Saviour in His most winsome, most appealing character. The
triple repetition of the cheerful motive with which the piece began—
over nomen, quaerentes, and psdllite—fits very well to the modest style
of the whole, although it is each time developed in a different manner.
Both neums over tuum are marked broadly in manuscript 121 of Einsiedeln
and thus help to call particular attention to the word. Truly, he
who has come to the full knowledge of Christ can do nothing else than
place his entire trust in Him; for "God does not forsake those who trust
in Him." This conviction is shown especially by the restful seconds
which bring the second phrase to a close. Yea, He pursues His sheep
even though they do not seek Him, for He wishes to bring them peace
and happiness. The calm recurring seconds over habitat in Sion breathe
the same spirit of peaceful indwelling in God. Still the final / of this passage
is a surprise, one to make us meditate, suggesting perhaps the
thought: Do you fully realize what this means: God dwells in Sion,
dwells in you, dwells in His Church, and is prepared to offer Himself
again for you in the holy Sacrifice of the Mass? The closing phrase has
a character all its own. Possessing a range of an octave, it effects a certain
elaboration of the motive: over quoniam non, ed ga bab; over oblitus,
fe fg aga; over orationem, cdf eg aa, and with this word seems to try to
picture how our prayer rises from the depth of misery directly to God.
Pduperum presents the same melody, though a fifth lower, with which
the first phrase over Domine closed.
COMMUNION (Luke 15: 10)
Dico vobis: gaudium est Angelis I say to you: There is joy before
Dei super uno peccatore paeni- the angels of God upon one sinner
tentiam agente. doing penance.
Significantly this piece begins immediately on the dominant of the
mode. For Jesus is speaking, and He speaks a new word, a word full of
consolation. Who would think that when a sinner does penance there is
an increase in the joy of the angels in heaven, and that this joy is renewed
as often as a human heart is brought to look into itself and is
converted (super uno)\
The first part is developed about the note c; the second, about a.
Codex 121 of Einsiedeln has a broad virga and "t" over est, whereby
a ritardando is indicated, with evident good effect.