Chants of the Vatican Graduale - MusicaSacra

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost 293
In the present instance the melody climbs to unusual heights, which is
already indicated by the use of the C clef on the second line. The first
two phrases are impelled onward by great anxiety of soul; they voice
the most abject misery. We can imagine how the man in today's Gospel
cried for assistance after the robbers had beaten him almost to death.
He had seen the priest approach and confidently looked forward to being
rescued. But the priest passed by, indifferent. Similarly had he seen the
Levite coming toward him, but he also kept aloof. How he must have
cried then to God for help: Intende, imploring Him to send relief at
once, for he was bleeding to death: festinal
By means of the pressus over Deus and the strengthening of the
note over (adju)-to-(rium), special emphasis is placed on the first phrase,
while the whole step below the c gives it unusual force. We shall better
understand the melody if we picture it written a fourth lower: its essential
notes then would begcdgdfgacdc and a f a g g at the end.
These are tone-sequences with which the eighth mode has made us well
acquainted. The second phrase, which ought to be compared with the
rich Offertory on the Thursday after the fourth Sunday in Lent, could
be transposed in the same manner. We should then have an /# over mei.
To judge merely from the melodic structures, the third phrase is the
most calm. But in the development of the motive of confunddntur over
reveredntur, and in the prominent syllabic chant, a tension is evident
which is readily felt by the singer, a tension which calls for release in
the second half of the phrase and especially stresses the important
words dnimam meam. A host of evil spirits go about the world, seeking
the ruin of souls (cf. the prayers after Mass). Evil men assist them in
their task. Many hardly realize the dangers by which they are surrounded,
or with what terrifying speed they are rushing to perdition. For them
the Church prays with motherly solicitude and cries to heaven: Deus
in adjutoriuml May the strength of the enemies be broken and their
influence come to naught!
In the Epistle we hear the Apostle admonishing us: "Not that we
are sufficient to think anything of ourselves, as of ourselves; but our
sufficiency is from God." And the Collect remarks that it is only by
virtue of God's grace that His faithful serve Him loyally and worthily.
All this urges us to pray the more fervently: Deus in adjutorium meum
intendel
GRADUAL (Ps. 33:2, 3)
1. Benedicam Dominum in omni 1. I will bless the Lord at all
tempore: 2. semper laus ejus in ore times: 2. his praise shall be ever in
meo. $. 1. In Domino laudabitur my mouth. #". In the Lord shall my