June 24th, 2006,

solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, Mass during the day.

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

Hear me, O Coastlands. Listen, O distant peoples.

The Lord called me from birth. From my mother's womb, he gave me my name.

He made of me a sharp-edged sword, and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished

arrow. In his quiver, he hid me. You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my

glory. Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing uselessly spent my strength,

yet my reward is with the Lord. My recompense is with my God. For now the Lord has spoken,

who formed me as his servant from the womb, that Jacob may be brought back to him,

and Israel gathered to him. And I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, and my God is now my strength.

It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob and restore

the survivors of Israel. I will make you a light to the nations that my salvation may reach to the

ends of the earth. The word of the Lord. I praise you, for I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.

I praise you, I praise you, for I am wonderfully made. Oh Lord, you have brought me and you know me,

You know when I sit and when I stand,

You understand my thoughts from afar

My journeys and my rest your scrutinies

With all my ways you are familiar

I praise you

I praise you

for I am wonderfully made

...