This motet sets to music a line from Christ’s last discourse to his disciples prior to his passion:
… but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice; and your joy no man shall take from you.
… iterum autem videbo vos, et gaudebit cor vestrum : et gaudium vestrum nemo tollet a vobis.
St. John 16:22
I have set this text with the perspective of looking back from Easter to Holy Thursday, perhaps as the disciples might have done, and I have appended an alleluia to it. The motet would seem appropriate for during Eastertide or even for the feast of the Ascension of Our Lord.
The motet also reminds me not to let anything or anyone steal my peace (easier said than done). I want to possess that joy which no man can take from me, but perhaps I will only truly understand that joy and overcome the melancholy of this life when, God willing, I see him again. Then my heart will rejoice with an everlasting joy.
Free PDF (Creative Commons) is available at the bottom of the post.
SSA Version (Added 2023-07-29)
Recent Compositions
About the Featured Image
The featured image is Christ Taking Leave of the Apostles by Duccio di Buoninsegna. It is in the public domain in the United States, according to Wikipedia.
