July 25, 2004. Feast of St. James, Apostle.

A reading from a second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.

Brothers and sisters,

We hold this treasure in earthen vessels,

that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.

We are afflicted in every way but not constrained, perplexed, but not driven to despair,

persecuted, but not abandoned, struck down, but not destroyed,

always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus

so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.

For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus,

so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal

flesh.

So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Since them we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke.

We too believe, and therefore speak, knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise

us also with Jesus and place us with you in His presence.

Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people

may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.

The Word of the Lord.

The responseorial Psalm, the response is,

Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion,

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