December 14th, 2004.

Memorial of St. John of the Cross, priest, and doctor of the church.

A reading from the book of Syrac.

In those days, like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah,

whose words were as a flaming furnace.

Their staff of bread he shattered.

In his zeal he reduced them to straits.

By the Lord's word, he shut up the heavens

and three times brought down fire.

How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds?

Whose glory is equal to yours?

You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire in a chariot with fiery horses. You were destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath

before the day of the Lord, to turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to re-establish

the tribes of Jacob. Blessed is he who shall have seen you and who falls asleep in your friendship.

The Word of the Lord.

The Responsorial Psalm. The responseorial psalm.

The response is,

Lord, make us turn to you.

Let us see your face and we shall be saved.

O shepherd of Israel, hearken, from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.

Rouse your power.

Lord, make us turn to you. Let us see your face and we shall be saved.

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