Amen dico vobis: quidquid orántes pétitis; crédite quia accipiétis, et fiet vobis.
Amen I say to you: whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you will be heard and I will do it for you.
John 5: 24
GN: 261
GT: 368
As (another) disclaimer, I did sing the initial phrase incorrectly; there should only be a single tractulus, RE, rather than a pes from DO to RE. (Having sung this particular antiphon for over ten years now, there are some habits that die hard!) Although this motif commonly appears in mode I antiphons, such as Rorate caeli, here it is probably omitted because a dissonant major seventh would be outlined on a single word, amen. Like the editors of BzG, I have replaced the TE at the top of the pes on amen with TI because it hinders the upward motion to the high DO on vobis1. Furthermore, the TI on amen anticipates the porrectus on vobis which oscillates between DO and TI. This melodic swoop emphasizes the universality of Christ’s words: He is speaking to all (vobis), and in speaking to all, He is speaking to each one of us.
The pes on quia is absolutely unnecessary and isn’t reflected in E or L. As a preposition, it shouldn’t receive particular emphasis anyway. Retaining a reciting note on FA and creating a recitative-like passage here is appropriate, especially as that pitch serves as the secondary dominant in mode I.
I don’t quite understand how the editors of BzG concluded that the quilisma neume on accipiétis is a four note group from E and L2. If a reader could help me understand their conclusion, I would be most grateful!
The word crédite struck me this week; here it is presented in the imperative form – believe! There is no wiggle room for doubt. How often do I struggle to believe that God hears my prayers, that they are worthy or acceptable to Him. Coupled with the disappointment of so many -seemingly – unanswered prayers in my life, it almost seems absurd to believe with such fervor. I hope there is room to hold both of these complex emotions – a deep faith that knows that the Lord has heard me, as well as a deep ache in waiting for these prayers to be realized.
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