October 4th, 2004. Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi.

A reading from the book of Job. The Lord addressed Job out of the storm and said,

Have you ever in your lifetime commanded the morning and shown the dawn its place,

for taking hold of the ends of the earth, till the wicked are shaken

from its surface, the earth is changed as is clay by the seal, and died as though it were a garment,

but from the wicked the light is withheld, and the arm of pride is shattered. Have you entered into the sources of the sea or walked

about in the depths of the abyss? Have the gates of death been shown to you? Or have you seen the gates of

darkness? Have you comprehended the breath of the earth? Tell me if you know all. Which is the way to the

dwelling place of light, and where is the abode of darkness, that you may take them to

their boundaries and set them on their homeward paths? You know because you were born before them, and the number of your years is great.

Then Job answered the Lord and said,

Behold, I am of little account. What can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth.

Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again,

though twice I will do so no more." The word of the Lord. Responsorial Psalm. The response is, guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

O Lord, you have probed me and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I stand.

You understand my thoughts from afar.

My journeys and my rest you scrutinize.

With all my ways you are familiar. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting

way. Where can I go from your spirit? From your presence, where can I flee? If I go up to the heavens,

you are there. If I sink to the nether world, you are present there.

Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

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