November 4, 2003, Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop.

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

Brothers and sisters, I ask then, has God rejected his people?

Of course not. For I too am a child of Israel, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?

Hence, I ask, did they stumble so as to fall?

Of course not.

But through their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles so as to make them

jealous.

Now if their transgression is enrichment for the world, and if their diminished number is enrichment for

the Gentiles, how much more their full number. I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery,

brothers and sisters, so that you will not become wise in your own estimation. A hardening has come

upon Israel in part until the full number of

the Gentiles comes in, and thus all Israel will be saved, as it is written. The deliverer will come out

of Zion. He will turn away godlessness from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away

their sins. In respect to the gospel, they are enemies on your account. But in respect to election,

they are beloved because of the patriarch, for the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.

The word of the Lord.

The response for a Psalm.

The response is, the Lord will not abandon his people.

Bless the man whom you instruct, O Lord, whom by your law you teach, giving him rest from

evil days.

...