August 23, 2003, Wednesday of the 20th week in ordinary time.

A reading from the Book of Judges.

All the citizens of Shechem and all Bethmelo came together and proceeded to make Abimelech king

by the Tarabentth at the Memorial Pillar in Shechem.

When this was reported to him, Jotham went to the top of Mount Jerizum,

and standing there, cried out to them in a loud voice.

Hear me, citizens of Shechem, that God may then hear you.

Once the trees went to anoint a king over themselves, so they said to the olive tree,

Rain over us, but the olive tree answered them, must I give up my rich oil whereby men and gods are

honored and go to wave over the trees? Then the trees said to the fig tree, come, you rain over us.

But the fig tree answered them,

Must I give up my sweetness and my good fruit and go to wave over the trees?

Then the trees said to the vine,

Come you and rain over us.

But the vine answered them,

Must I give up my wine that cheers gods and men and go to wave over the trees?

Then all the trees said to the buckthorn, Come, you rain over us.

But the buckthorn replied to the trees,

If you wish to anoint me king over you in good faith,

come and take refuge in my shadow.

Otherwise, let fire come from the buckthorn and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

The word of the Lord.

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