May 27, 2006, Wednesday of the eighth week in ordinary time.

A reading from the first letter of St. Peter,

Beloved, realize that you were ransomed from your futile conduct

handed on by your ancestors.

Not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious

blood of Christ as of a spotless and blemished lamb. He was known before the foundation of the world,

but revealed in the final time for you, who through him believe in God, who raised him from the

dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Since you have purified yourselves by obedience to the truth for sincere brotherly love, love one another intensely from a pure heart.

You have been born anew, not from perishable, but from imperishable seed, through the living

and abiding word of God. For all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of the

field. The grass withers and the flower wilts. But the word of the Lord remains forever. This is the

word that has been proclaimed to you, the word of the Lord.

The Responsorial Psalm.

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 has granted peace in your borders. With the best of wheat he fills you.

He sends forth his command to the earth. Swiftly runs his word. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,

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