"Second Word" from The Seven Last Words of Christ, by Theodore Dubois
THIS is so beautiful. It brings back memories of Grace Bible School and our choir, which was very blessed to be led by two erudite people who were passionate about teaching us classical arrangements and rich cantatas. (We even did Handel’s Messiah, complete with soloists!) Hearing the organ accompaniment to this piece, I can picture and almost FEEL Mary Alice Spencer’s presence. I wish I could remember which soloist did the baritone part; I feel certain that Jerry Farnam did the tenor part, but the baritone part seems a little too high for Dr. Spencer to have sung. I DO remember that it was my favorite duet in this cantata, and it always gave me goosebumps, even in high school. But more so now that I have felt the guilty desperation of the thief's words and the compassion and reassurance of Christ through the Holy Spirit.
In English, it’s:
Tenor: "Verily, thou shalt be in Paradise today with me. Amen, so I tell thee."
Baritone: "Hear me, O Lord, and remember me, when thou comest into thy kingdom."
In fact, this evening it struck me for the first time that this duet was composed by Haydn and sung in such a way that Jesus's words of assurance to the thief become sort of interrupted--- no, not interrupted, but overrun--- by the thief's words as he incredulously begs Jesus to hear his confession and to really remember His promise to bring him to Paradise that very day. And in turn, the thief's pleas are interrupted by Christ's repeated promise of assurance to the thief. Back and forth, they go, over and over.The reason, I think, it struck me is because, for a time, I went through a period of pretty great doubt, and as I was begging for forgiveness and for grace, He was whispering words of reassurance to me. I can imagine now, as I listen to this duet, that we were talking over each other for a long time! Thankfully, His whispers of reassurance became louder and louder and LOUDER-- until I really heard Him and knew.
I’m thankful for His perseverance. It was, and is, so GOOD to know that He has heard and certainly will remember.