November 14, 2004, Thursday of the 32nd week in ordinary time.

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to Philemon.

Beloved, I have experienced much joy and encouragement from your love,

because the hearts of the holy ones have been refreshed by you, brother.

Therefore, although I have the full right in Christ to order you to do what is proper,

I rather urge you out of love, being as I am Paul an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus. I urge you on behalf of my child

Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment, who was once useless to you, but is now

useful to both you and me. I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you.

I should have liked to retain him for myself, so that he might serve me on your behalf in my

imprisonment for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do might not

be forced, but voluntary. Perhaps this is why he was away from you for a while, that you might have him

back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a brother. Beloved, especially to me, but even more so to you,

as a man and in the Lord. So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me. And if he has

done you any injustice or owes you anything, charge it to me.

I, Paul, write this in my own hand. I will pay.

May I not tell you that you owe me your very self?

Yes, brother, may I profit from you in the Lord.

Refresh my heart in Christ.

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm, the response is,

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.

The Lord secures justice for the oppress,

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