August 30th, 2004, Friday of the 21st week in ordinary time.

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

Brothers and sisters,

Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel,

and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ

might not be emptied of its meaning. The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are

perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

and the learning of the learned, I will set aside. Where is the wise one? Where is the scribe? Where is the

debater of this age? Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish?

For since in the wisdom of God the world did not come to know God through wisdom, it was

the will of God through the foolishness of the proclamation to save those who have faith.

For Jews demand signs, and Greeks look for wisdom.

But we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Gentiles.

But to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger

than human strength. The Word of the Lord.

The Responsorial Psalm

The response is

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord

Exalt you just in the Lord

Praise from the upright is fitting

Give thanks to the Lord on the harp

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