Illuminátio mea (Graduale Simplex)

Illuminátio mea (Graduale Simplex)
The Lord is my light (Ps 27)

Communian Antiphon for the 3nd Sunday of Lent (Graduale Simplex)

The Lord is my light
Communion hymn for the 3rd Sunday of Lent (Graduale Simplex)
The psalm 27 is a text that speaks to the themes of trust and courage. The exact circumstances under which King David is believed to have composed this psalm are uncertain; some scholars hypothesise that it was written before his reign as king, while others theorise that it was written during a period of great personal injustice under King Saul. Alternatively, it is hypothesised that the psalm was written in response to the threat of death at the hands of his own son Absalom, who sought to usurp the throne. The psalm's message of trust in God, regardless of life's vicissitudes, resonates with the diverse experiences of David's life.

In the Jubilee Year, characterised by the theme of hope, this psalm is a particularly apt choice for singing, as it provides a foundation for maintaining hope in times of despair, by offering the promise of God's protection.

The psalm's message of trust in God and the assurance that He is our sole salvation is particularly pertinent during the communion procession, when we approach the living God. This song can serve as a powerful reminder to focus on Him who is being offered to us as food, uniting us in thought and fostering a sense of community. The challenges and adversaries referenced by the psalmist are not magically eliminated; however, with divine assistance and guidance, they are transformed. Consequently, adversity can yield opportunity, and enmity can give rise to mercy, or at the very least, tolerance.

The moment of communion prepares the faithful for the future realities that they are already anticipating in the present moment, and in doing so, they are strengthened by their faith. The psalmist expresses the belief that they will be able to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, and they are encouraged to hope in the Lord and to be courageous, strengthening their hearts in their faith. This sentiment is beautifully expressed in the following poem of St. Thomas:
O Sacred Banquet, in which Christ is received, the memory of his Passion is recalled, the soul is filled with grace, and the pledge of future glory is given us. (Antiphon for Corpus Christi)

This project is being developed in parallel with the attempt to translate Graduale Simplex in Slovene language, and so along with the Latin recording there is also an attempt to sing it in Slovene (   • Gospod je moja luč (obhajilni spev za 3. p...  ).

Zavod za cerkveno glasbo (Institute of Sacred Music)

Prepared by Cecilija Oblonšek