August 10th, 2004, Feast of St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr.

A reading from the second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.

Brothers and sisters, whoever souls sparingly will also reap sparingly,

and whoever souls bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined,

without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every

grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance

for every good work, as it is

written. He scatters abroad. He gives to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. The one who

supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the

harvest of your righteousness.

The Word of the Lord.

The Responsorial Psalm.

The response is, Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.

Blessed the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commands, his posterity

shall be mighty upon the earth, the upright generation shall be blessed.

Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.

Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice, he shall never

be moved.

The just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.

Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.

An evil report he shall not fear. His heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steadfast. He shall not fear till he looks down upon his foes. Blessed the man who is gracious

and lends to those in need.

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