7 July 2019, 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

7 July 2019, 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

IntroitSuscepimus

OffertorySoul of my Saviour, p. 297

CommunionGustate et videte

RecessionalLift up your heads, ye mighty gates, p. 211

Mass XI, PBC p. 58. Credo III, PBC p. 77

The Introit antiphon is, as you know, also the Introit for the Feast of the Presentation (or Purification in the EF) on 2 Feb. It is among the most beloved of chants and volumes of commentary have grown up around it. It has three phrases:

  1. Suscepimus, Deus, misericordiam tuam in medio templi tui

  2. secundum nomen tuum Deus, ita et laus tua in fines terrae

  3. justitia plena est dextera tua

The extended intervals at the beginning of the second phrase catch our attention. It would seem as though the singer wished to clarify our notion of the majestic essence of God. The entire middle phrase seems to dominate the first and third. The cadence over fines terrae, which forms the close of the first phrase as well, imparts to both a well-rounded finish. In the first phrase is the predominant note, being sounded only in passing. The second phrase is dominated by c, the third by f. Briefly, we might say that the first phrase is characterized by f-a, the second by a-c,the third by d-f. The important transition to the third phrase is explained below.

The Communion Antiphon has two phrases:

  1. Gustate et videte quoniam suavis est Dominus

  2. beatus vir qui sperat in eo.

Chant historians are fond of reminding us that this antiphon, Gustate et videte, (Ps 33:9), always sung along with the entire Psalm 33, was the original chant for communion sung in both East and West at almost every Mass. We read of it in the works of many of the Fathers in both East and West. Dom Johner's comments are worth repeating in full:

This antiphon is composed of only two phrases. Both have a marked rise in their first parts, with a pause on a. Their second parts are identical: sperat in eo corresponds with (su)-avis est Dominus. Still each little phrase has its peculiarities. The first is a lively exhortation; hence the rise to high c (do) and the tarrying there with a double tristropha, a neum rarely used in the Communion. The exhortation is to resound and to penetrate into all hearts. The second phrase is a simple assertion and never rises above a (fa).
This is the oldest Communion song to be found with its psalm in all the liturgies, oriental as well as occidental. How heartfelt it must have sounded, coming from the lips of those who were returning from the altar with the sweetest and most savory of foods in their hearts! What longing it must have awakened in the souls of the faithful who were still on the way to receive Holy Communion! Whoever loves the Eucharistic Saviour will not only gladly and frequently carry this exhortation into effect, but will also, as far as he is able, make others partakers of this same great joy. The Greek equivalent for sweet is chrestos; hence the play on words: Taste and see that it is Christ (Christos/chrestos) the Lord.

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