July 26, 2004, Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

A reading from the book of the prophet Jeremiah.

Return rebellious children, says the Lord, for I am your master.

I will take you, one from a city, two from a clan, and bring you to Zion. I will appoint over you shepherds after my own

heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently. When you multiply and become fruitful in the land,

says the Lord, they will in those days no longer say the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord.

They will no longer think of it, or remember it, or miss it, or make another.

At that time, they will call Jerusalem the Lord's throne.

There all nations will be gathered together to honor the name of the Lord at Jerusalem,

and they will walk no longer in their hard-hearted wickedness.

The Word of the Lord.

The responseorial Psalm.

The response is,

The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, proclaim it on distant isles and say, He who scattered Israel now gathers them together. He guards them as a shepherd his flock.

The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

The Lord shall ransom Jacob.

He shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror.

Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion.

They shall come streaming to the Lord's blessings.

The grain, the wine, and the oil, the sheep, and the oxen. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock. Then the virgins shall make merry and dance, and young men and old as well.

I will turn their mourning into joy. I will console and gladden them after their sorrows. The Lord will

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