December 16th, 2003, Saturday of the second week of Advent.

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 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. Once again, O Lord of hosts, look down from heaven and see. Take care of this vine and protect what your

right hand has planted, the son of man whom you yourself made strong.

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

May your help be with the man of your right hand, with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.

Then we will no more withdraw from you. Give us new life and we will

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

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

As they were coming down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus,

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