6. Agnus Dei and Dominus vobiscum – Mass of the Divine Song
This is the page for the final two movements of Mass in E minor: 6. Agnus Dei & 7. Dominus vobiscum. They are short, and #6 ends very strongly. So #7 starts fairly quickly after #6, to bring a quiet mood to the completion of the piece.
6. Agnus Dei – Go into the world. Now is the time to face the music! You have received more grace than you hoped for. You still do not have a answer, but you have the courage to use your best judgement, and God will guide that judgement. Dona nobis pacem, grant us peace: here this is not the peace of all our troubles evaporating, it the peace that passes all understanding, the stillness of one-pointed attention to God and truth to help us stand firm in difficult circumstances.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem. |
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace. |
I imagine this being the point when the accused business person opens the door to a conference room where he will face an as yet unknown situation: threats, being fired or worse, or perhaps an understanding and helpful leadership.
Proverbs 16:7 – When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Psalm 34:13-15 – Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
Job 13:5 – O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.
Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Rehearsal tracks:
7. Dominus vobiscum – This is the little closing dialog between priest and congregation, ending mass with expressions of goodwill. It is presented here as a final quiet moment, and recalls some of the ineffable divine grace gained in this process.
Dominus vobiscum. Et cum spiritu tuo. Ite, missa est. Deo Gratias. Amen. |
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. Go forth, the mass is ended. Thanks be to God. Amen. |
2 John 1:3 – Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
Rehearsal Tracks for Dominus vobiscum: