September 13, 2004, Memorial of St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians. Brothers and sisters,

If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it.

If I do so willingly, I have a recompense. But if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship.

What then is my recompense? That, when I preach, I offer the

gospel free of charge so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. Although I am free

in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. I have made myself a slave to all, so as to win over as many as possible.

I have become all things to all, to save at least some.

All this I do, for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.

Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the

race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way.

They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.

Thus I do not run aimlessly.

I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing.

No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.

The Word of the Lord.

The Responsorial Psalm. The response is, how lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God.

My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God. Even the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest in which she puts her young. Your altars, O Lord of host,

my king and my God. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God. Blessed they who dwell

in your house, continually they praise you. Blessed the men whose strength you are.

Their hearts are set upon the pilgrimage.

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God.

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