January 27th, 2004. Saturday of the third week in ordinary time.

A reading from the second book of Samuel. The Lord sent Nathan to David, and when he came to him,

Nathan said, Judge this case for me. In a certain town, there were two men, one rich, the other poor.

The rich man had flocks and herds in great numbers, but the poor man had nothing at all,

except one little ewe lamb that he had bought. He nourished her, and she grew up with him and his

children. She shared the little food he had,

and drank from his cup, and slept in his bosom. She was like a daughter to him.

Now the rich man received a visitor, but he would not take from his own flocks and herds to prepare

a meal for the wayfarer who had come to him. Instead, he took the poor man's ewe lamb and made a meal of it for his visitor.

David grew very angry with that man and said to him,

As the Lord lives, the man who has done this merits death.

He shall restore the ewe lamb fourfold because he has done this and has had no pity.

Then Nathan said to David, you are the man. Thus says the Lord God of Israel, the sword shall never

depart from your house because you have despised me and have taken the wife of

youriah to be your wife. Thus says the Lord, I will bring evil upon you out of your own house.

I will take your wives while you live to see it and will give them to your neighbor.

He shall lie with your wives in broad daylight.

You have done this deed in secret,

but I will bring it about in the presence of all Israel,

and with the sun looking down.

Then David said to Nathan,

I have sinned against the Lord.

...