February 27, 2004, Tuesday of the second week of Lent.

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

Hear the word of the Lord, princes of Sodom.

Listen to the instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah.

Wash yourselves clean.

Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes.

Cease doing evil, learn to do good. Make justice your aim, redress the wronged.

Hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow. Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord.

Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow.

"'Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool.

"'If you are willing and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land.

"'But if he refuse and resist, the sword shall consume you, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. The word of the Lord. The response is, to the upright I will show the saving power

of God. Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you, for your burnt offerings are before me always.

I take from your house no bullock, no goats out of your fold. To the upright I will show the

saving power of God. Why do you recite my statutes and profess my covenant with your mouth, though you hate discipline and cast my words behind you?

To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?

Or do you think that I am like yourself? I will correct you by drawing them up before

your eyes. He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me. And to him that goes the right way,

I will show the salvation of God. To the upright I will show the saving power of God. To the upright, I will show the saving power of God.

A reading from the Holy Gospel, according to Matthew.

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,

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