March 2, 2004, Saturday of the second week of Lent.

A reading from the book of the prophet Micah,

Shepard your people with your staff,

the flock of your inheritance that dwells apart in a woodland in the midst of Carmel.

Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old. As in the midst of Carmel. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in the days of old.

As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt, show us wonderful signs.

Who is there like you? The God who removes guilt and pardon sin for the remnant of his inheritance, who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, and will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot, our guilt.

You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins.

You will show faithfulness to Jacob and grace to Abraham

as you have sworn to our fathers from days of old.

The Word of the Lord

The response is, the Lord is kind and merciful.

Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all my being bless His holy name.

Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

The Lord is kind and merciful.

He pardons all your iniquities. He heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction. He crowns you with kindness and compassion.

The Lord is kind and merciful. He will not always chide, nor does he keep his wrath forever. Not according

to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes. The Lord is

kind and merciful. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us.

The Lord is kind and merciful.

A reading from the Holy Gospel, according to Luke.

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