January 8, 2004, the baptism of the Lord.

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

Thus says the Lord,

All you who are thirsty, come to the water.

You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat,

come without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk.

Why spend your money for what is not bread, your wages for what fails to satisfy?

Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare.

Come to me heedfully, listen that you may have life.

I will renew with you the everlasting covenant,

the benefits assured to David.

As I made him a witness to the peoples,

a leader and commander of nations, so shall you summon

a nation you knew not, and nations that knew you not shall run to you because of the Lord your

God, the Holy One of Israel who has glorified you. Seek the Lord while he may be found.

Call him while he is near.

Let the scoundrel forsake his way and the wicked man his thoughts.

Let him turn to the Lord for mercy, to our God who is generous in forgiving.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways

and my thoughts above your thoughts.

For just as from the heavens, the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who

sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth.

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