May 24, 2004, Friday of the seventh week in ordinary time.

A reading from the letter of St. James.

Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged.

Behold, the judge is standing before the gates.

Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters, the prophets who spoke

in the name of the Lord.

Indeed, we call blessed those who have persevered.

You have heard of the perseverance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, because

the Lord is

compassionate and merciful. But above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear either by

heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your yes mean yes, and your no, mean no,

that you may not incur condemnation. The word of the Lord.

The response orial Psalm. The response is, the Lord is kind and merciful.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all my being bless His Holy Name. 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.

Merciful and gracious is the Lord. Slow to anger and bounding in kindness. He will not always chide,

nor does he keep his wrath forever. 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.

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