December 16th, 2004, Monday of the third week of Advent.

A reading from the book of numbers.

When Balaam raised his eyes and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the spirit of God came

upon him, and he gave voice to his oracle.

The utterance of Balaam, son of Bacle. The utterance of Balam, son of Beor,

the utterance of a man whose eye is true,

the utterance of one who hears what God says,

and knows what the Most High knows,

of one who sees what the Almighty sees,

enraptured and with eyes unveiled. How goodly are your tents,

O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel. They are like gardens beside a stream, like the cedars

planted by the Lord. His wells shall yield free-flowing waters. He shall have the sea within reach. His king shall rise higher,

and his royalty shall be exalted. Then Balam gave voice to his oracle. The utterance of

Balam, son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eye is true. The utterance of one who hears what God says

and knows what the Most High knows.

Of one who sees what the Almighty sees,

enraptured and with eyes unveiled.

I see him, though not now.

I behold him, though not near.

A star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel.

The word of the Lord.

The responsorial Psalm.

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