Today Is The Day is based on Psalm 118 and was a favorite of mine in my early days of music and youth ministry in the Catholic Church.  As the early days transitioned to very active years I was invited to many conventions, workshops, retreats and extended training camps.

One such youth convention took the theme of “Yea God” which I was very honored by and was asked that I would direct the youth choir for the final Mass. I was also asked to write a Psalm setting to Psalm 118 for that Mass.  Today Is The Day was my contribution.  

It’s important to note that this was in the 1980s and, large youth gatherings did not always follow the Liturgical norms presented in Vatican II Documents.  I bring this up because while Today Is The Day does have a Scriptural text which is verbatim for the Response the verses are not verbatim and directed at the assembly (youth). 

I loved creating this song and love singing it.  I just wanted to be clear that it wouldn’t work with a Sunday Mass as the Responsorial Psalm during the proclamation of the Word.  

However it works well in many, many other liturgical moments.