March 11th, 2004, Monday of the fourth week of Lent.

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah,

Thus says the Lord,

Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth.

The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind.

Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness

in what I create. For I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and its people to be a delight.

I will rejoice in Jerusalem and exalt in my people. No longer shall the sound of weeping be heard there, or the sound of crying.

No longer shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not round out his full lifetime.

He dies a mere youth who reaches but a hundred years, and he who fails of a hundred shall

be thought accursed.

They shall live in the houses they build and eat the fruit of the vineyards they plant.

The word of the Lord.

The response is, I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

I will extol you, O Lord, for you drew me clear, and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.

O Lord, you brought me up from the netherworld. You preserved me from among those going down into the

pit. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me. Sing praise to the Lord, you his faithful ones,

and give thanks to his holy name. for his anger last but a moment,

a lifetime his goodwill. At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with the dawn, rejoicing.

I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Hear, O Lord, and have pity on me.

O Lord, be my helper.

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