October 27, 2003. Friday of the 29th week in ordinary time.

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

Brothers and sisters, I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh.

The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not. For I do not

do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want. Now if I do what I do not want, it

is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. So then I discover the principle

that when I want to do right, evil is at hand.

For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self.

But I see in my members another principle

at war with the law of my mind,

taking me captive to the law of sin

that dwells in my members.

Miserable one that I am.

Who will deliver me from this mortal body?

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm.

The response is,

Lord, teach me your statutes.

Teach me wisdom and knowledge,

for in your commands I trust.

Lord, teach me your statutes.

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