August 12, 2004, Monday of the 19th week in ordinary time.

A reading from the book of the prophet Ezekiel.

On the fifth day of the fourth month of the fifth year, that is, of King Jehoiaquine's exile,

the word of the Lord came to the priest Ezekiel, the son of Boosie, in the land of the Caldeans by the river Cabar.

There the hand of the Lord came upon me.

As I looked, a stormwind came from the north, a huge cloud with flashing fire enveloped in brightness,

from the midst of which, the midst of the fire,

something gleamed like Electrum.

Within it were figures resembling four living creatures that looked like this.

Their form was human.

Then I heard the sound of their wings,

like the roaring of mighty waters, like the voice of

the Almighty.

When they moved, the sound of the tumult was like the din of an army, and when they stood

still they lowered their wings.

Above the firmament, over their heads, something like a throne could be seen, looking like sapphire.

Upon it was seated up above, one who had the appearance of a man. Upward from what resembled his

waist, I saw what gleamed like Electrum. Downward from what resembled his waist, I saw what

looked like fire.

He was surrounded with splendor.

Like the bow which appears in the clouds on a rainy day was the splendor that surrounded him.

Such was the vision of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.

...