March 6th, 2004, Wednesday of the third week of Lent.

A reading from the book of Deuteronomy.

Moses spoke to the people and said,

Now Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe,

that you may live and may enter in and take possession of the land which the

Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. Therefore, I teach you the statutes and decrees as the

Lord my God has commanded me, that you may observe them in the land you are entering to occupy.

Observe them carefully, for thus will you give

evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes

and say, this great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people. For what great nation is there

that has gods so close to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?

Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?

However, take care and be earnestly on your guard, not to forget the things

which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live,

but teach them to your children and to your children's children. The Word of the Lord.

The response is, praise the Lord Jerusalem.

Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem. Praise your God, O Zion, for he has strengthened the bars of your gates. He has blessed your children within you. Praise the Lord Jerusalem.

He sends forth his command to the earth, swiftly runs his word. He spreads snow like wool,

frost he strews like ashes. Praise the Lord Jerusalem. He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,

his statutes, and his ordinances to Israel. He has not done thus for any other nation. His ordinances

he has not made known to them. Praise the Lord Jerusalem.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

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