medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Offertorium – 15
The theme of these Masses after Epiphany is ‘Rejoice in the Lord’ and
similiar sentiments are brought forth from various psalms. On this
second Sunday after the Epiphany the psalm-verse of the Introit is Ps.
65:1-2
Jubilate Deo omnis terra, psalmum dicite nomini eius: date gloriam
laudi eius.
The Antiphon is taken from verse 4 of the same psalm:
Omnis terra adoret te, Deus, et psallat tibi: psalmum dicat nomini tuo,
Altissime.
The two references to ‘omnis terra’ are appropriate in this season of
the Epiphany, or manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. The Magi had
come from far afield to worship the infant Jesus, and are
representative of ‘omnis terra’ coming to worship God.
The Offertorium is again verses 1-2 of the same psalm, slightly
modified – ‘universa terra’ for ‘omnis terra’ – and with the addition
of verse 16:
Jubilate Deo universa terra: psalmum dicite nomini eius: venite, at
audite, et narrabo vobis, omnes qui timetis Deum, quanta fecit Dominus
animae meae, alleluia.
Perhaps the invitation, ‘Come, all who fear God’ is again to be
interpreted as applying to the whole world.
The theme of coming and praising God, thanking him for his mercies and
wonders, is continued in the Gradual and Alleluia, the former from
Psalm 106:20-21
Misit Dominus verbum suum, et sanavit eos: et eripuit eos de interitu
eorum.
Confiteantur Domino misericordiae eius: et mirabilia eius filiis
hominum.
(Note ‘God has sent his word’ clearly intended to refer to Christ, the
word made flesh).
The latter, i.e. the Alleluia, is from Psalm 148:2
Laudate Dominum omnes Angeli eius: laudate eum omnes virtutes eius.
Appropriate enough at any time of year, but we may still recall the
angels singing in the heavens to announce the birth of Christ.
Only the Communio stands apart from these other texts, for it is taken
from the Gospel for the day, which is John 2:1-11, the story of the
wedding at Cana. The Communio selects verses 7,8,9,10-11:
Dicit Dominus: Implete hydrias aqua, et ferte architriclino. Cum
gustasset architriclinus aquam vinum factam, dicit sponso: Servasti
bonum vinum usque adhuc. Hoc signum fecit Jesus primum coram discipulis
suis.
We may note that the pattern we have observed continues. The Offertory
and Communion do not seem to be on the same wavelength. The Offertory
belongs with the Introit and Gradual, but the Communion comes from a
quite different source, namely the Gospel for the day.
Bill.
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