October 14, 2004, Monday of the 28th week in ordinary time.

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

Brothers and sisters,

it is written that Abraham had two sons,

one by the slave woman and the other by the freeborn woman. The son of the slave

woman was born naturally, the son of the freeborn through a promise. Now this is an allegory.

These women represent two covenants. One was from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery.

This is Hagar.

But the Jerusalem above is freeborn, and she is our mother.

For it is written,

Rejoice, you barren one who bore no children.

Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor.

For more numerous are the children of the deserted one than of her who has a husband.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are children not of the slave woman, but of the freeborn woman.

For freedom, Christ set us free. So stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

The Word of the Lord. The responsorial Psalm, the response is, blessed be the name of the Lord forever.

Praise you servants of the Lord.

Praise the name of the Lord.

Blessed be the name of the Lord, both now and forever.

Blessed be the name of the Lord forever. From the rising to the setting of the sun is the name of the Lord to be praised.

High above all nations is the Lord.

Above the heavens is His glory.

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