March 8, 2020: Second Sunday of Lent (Year A)
This antiphon, reused from the feast of the Baptism of the Lord and reused again on the feast of the Transfiguration (August 6), is a mosaic of what is found in today’s Gospel (Matthew 17:5) and Communion Antiphon:
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.”
together with Isaiah 42:1:
Here is my servant whom I uphold,
my chosen one with whom I am pleased.
which is the opening of the 1st Reading on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
The verses from Isaiah 40:1-11 include the exhortation to prepare a way for the Lord, the revealing of the glory of the Lord, and the reminder that the Lord will feed his flock like a shepherd.
The antiphon may be sung as a 4-part round, and the psalm tone for the verses uses a simplified form of the antiphon melody, helping to make the whole setting an organic whole.
Please leave a reply.