Ash Wednesday

by CCW | 17 February 2010 05:00

The collect for today, the First Day of Lent, commonly called Ash Wednesday, from The Book of Common Prayer[1] (Canadian, 1962):

Colombe, Penance of David[2]ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle: St James 4:6-11a[3]
The Gospel: St Matthew 6:16-21[4]

Artwork: Jean Colombe, “The Penance of David”, from Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, 1485-89. Illumination, Musée Condé, Chantilly.

Jean Colombe’s miniature illustrates Lauds in the Office of the Dead, which begins with David’s psalm of repentance[5]: “Miserere mei, Deus”: “Have mercy on me, O God”.

Endnotes:
  1. The Book of Common Prayer: http://prayerbook.ca/bcp/propers.html#ashwednesday
  2. [Image]: http://christchurchwindsor.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Colombe_PenanceOfDavid.jpg
  3. St James 4:6-11a: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%204:6-11&version=ESV
  4. St Matthew 6:16-21: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%206:16-21;&version=ESV;
  5. David’s psalm of repentance: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2051;&version=ESV;

Source URL: https://christchurchwindsor.ca/2010/02/17/ash-wednesday/