March 13, 2004, Wednesday of the fourth week of Lent.

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

Thus says the Lord, in a time of favor I answer you.

On the day of salvation, I help you, and I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people,

to restore the land and allot the desolate heritages, saying to the prisoners, come out.

To those in darkness, show yourselves.

Along the ways they shall find pasture. On every bare height shall their pastures be.

They shall not hunger or thirst, nor shall the scorching wind or the sun strike them. For he who

pities them, leads them, and guides them besides springs of water. I will cut a road through all my

mountains and make my highways level. See, some shall come from afar, others from the north and the

west, and some from the land of Saini.

Sing out, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth.

Break forth into song, you mountains.

For the Lord comforts his people and shows mercy to his afflicted.

But Zion said, The Lord has forsaken me.

My Lord has forgotten me.

Can a mother forget her infant?

Be without tenderness for the child of her womb?

Even should she forget,

I will never forget you.

The word of the Lord. The response is, the Lord is gracious and merciful. The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. The Lord is good to all, and of great kindness.

The Lord is good to all and compassionate toward all his works.

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