August 19th, 2003, Saturday of the 19th week in ordinary time.

A reading from the book of Joshua. Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at

Shikkim and addressed them saying, Fear the Lord and serve him completely and sincerely.

Cast out the gods your father served beyond the river and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.

If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve,

the gods your father served beyond the river, or the gods of

the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

But the people answered, Far be it from us to forsake the Lord for the service of other gods,

for it was the Lord our God who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt,

out of a state of slavery.

He performed those great miracles before our very eyes

and protected us along our entire journey and among all the peoples through whom we passed.

At our approach the Lord drove out all the peoples, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land.

Therefore, we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.

Joshua in turn said to the people,

You may not be able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God.

He is a jealous God who will not forgive your transgressions or your sins.

If, after the good he has done for you, you forsake the

Lord and serve strange gods, he will do evil to you and destroy you. But the people answered Joshua,

we will still serve the Lord. Joshua therefore said to the people,

You are your own witnesses that you have chosen to serve the Lord.

They replied,

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