February 17, 2021: Ash Wednesday
Since the Missal antiphon does not connect directly with the scriptures of the day, a new antiphon was produced from today’s Gospel, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18.
The first half of the text is derived from the first section:
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you (Mt 6:4)
and
pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. (Mt 6:6)
The second half comes from the remainder of the Gospel, with reference to fasting (hungering and thirsting):
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you. (Mt 6:18)
Almsgiving, praying, and fasting are the threefold exercises of Lent; in Communion God fills us with the strength to do all three.
The psalm verses are from the Beatitudes (Mt 5:3-10).
Listen to a sample recording of this setting below:
Please leave a reply.