Any of the following Old Testament readings are appropriate for the funeral.The family may choose another reading that is particularly appropriate and that speaks to them of their loved one.
Reading #1 Job: 19:1,23-27
A Reading from the Book of Job Then Job answered and said: Oh, would that my words were written down! Would that they were inscribed in a record: That with an iron chisel and with lead they were cut in the rock forever! But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives, and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust; Whom I myself shall see: my own eyes, not another's, shall behold him, And from my flesh I shall see God; my inmost being is consumed with longing. The Word of the Lord.
Reading #2 Proverbs 31:11-15, 20, 25-26, 28-30
A Reading from the Book of Proverbs When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls. Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize. She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. She rises while it is still night, and distributes food to her household. She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs at the days to come. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and on her tongue is kindly counsel. Her children rise up and praise her; her husband, too, extols her: "Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all." Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. The Word of the Lord.
Reading #3 Wisdom 3:1-9 A Reading from the Book of Wisdom The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect. The Word of the Lord.
Reading #4 Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 10, 11a
A Reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them; a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces. A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. I have considered the task which God has appointed for men to be busied about. He has made everything appropriate to its time, and has put the timeless into their hearts. The Word of the Lord.
Reading #5 Wisdom 4:7-14 A Reading from the Book of Wisdom The just man, though he die early, shall be at rest. For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in terms of years. Rather, understanding is the hoary crown for men, and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age. He who pleased God was loved; he who lived among sinners was transported- Snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind or deceit beguile his soul; For the witchery of paltry things obscures what is right and the whirl of desire transforms the innocent mind. Having become perfect in a short while, he reached the fullness of a long career; for his soul was pleasing to the LORD, therefore he sped him out of the midst of wickedness. But the people saw and did not understand, nor did they take this into account. The Word of the Lord.
Reading #6 Isaiah 25: 6a, 7-9 A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, The web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces; The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken. On that day it will be said: "Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!" The Word of the Lord.
THE SECOND READING
|Any of
the following New Testament readings may be chosen and the family
may select someone to do the reading.
Reading
#7 Revelation 14:13
A
reading from the Book of Revelation
I heard a
voice from heaven say, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in
the Lord from now on." "Yes," said the Spirit, "let them find rest
from their labors, for their works accompany them."
The Word of
the Lord.
Reading
#8 Romans 6:3-4, 8-9
A
Reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the
Romans
Are you
unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized
into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into
death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the
glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if ,
then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live
with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more;
death no longer has power over him.
The Word of
the Lord.
Reading
#9 Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39
A
Reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the
Romans
If God is
for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but
handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything
else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God's chosen
ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ
Jesus who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand
of God, who indeed intercedes for us. What will separate us from
the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or
famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these
things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am
convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers,
nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to
separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Word of
the Lord.
Reading
#10 Romans 14:7-9, 10b-12
A Reading
from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans
None of
us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live,
we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then,
whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For this is why Christ
died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and
the living. For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God;
for it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend
before me, and every tongue shall give praise to God." So then each
of us shall give an account of himself to God.
The Word of
the Lord.
Reading
#11 Corinthians 5:, 6-10
A Reading
from the Second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians
We know
that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have
a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in
heaven. So we are always courageous, although we know that while we
are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by
faith, not by sight. Yet we are courageous, and we would rather
leave the body and go home to the Lord. Therefore, we aspire to
please him, whether we are at home or away. For we must all appear
before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive
recompense, according to what he did in the body,
whether
good or evil.
The Word of
the Lord.
Reading
#12 Thessalonians 4:, 13-18
A reading
from the First Letter of Saint Paul to the
Thessalonians
We do not want
you to be unaware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so
that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we
believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus,
bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you
this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left
until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who
have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command,
with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will
come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then
we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with
them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall
always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these
words.
The Word of
the Lord.
Reading
#13 Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7
A
reading from the Book of Revelation
I
saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former
earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy
city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared
as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the
throne saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race. He
will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself
will always be with them [as their God]. He will wipe every tear
from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning,
wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away." The one who
sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." I am the
Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I
will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water. The victor
will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my
son.
The Word of
the Lord.
THE
GOSPEL READING
Any of
the following Gospel readings may be chosen. This may be indicated
on the Liturgy The
priest will read the
Gospel at the funeral.
Reading
#14 Matthew 25:1-13
A Reading
from the Holy Gospel According to Matthew
"The
kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and
went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five
were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no
oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.
Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and
fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, "Behold, the bridegroom!
Come out to meet him!' Then all those virgins got up and trimmed
their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, "Give us some of
your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise ones replied,
"No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the
merchants and buy some for yourselves.' While they went off to buy
it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the
wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the
other virgins came and said, "Lord, Lord, open the door for us!'
But he said in reply, "Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.'
Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
The Gospel
of the Lord.
Reading
#15 Matthew 5:1-12a
A
Reading from the Holy Gospel According to
Matthew
When he
saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down,
his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be
comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the
land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for
righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed
are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are
the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of
righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and
utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
The Gospel
of the Lord.
Reading
#16 John 6:37-40
A Reading
from the Holy Gospel According to John
Everything
that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject
anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do
my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the
will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of
what he gave me, but that I should raise it [on] the last day. For
this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and
believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him [on]
the last day."
The Gospel
of the Lord.
Reading
#17 Matthew 25:31-40
A
Reading from the Holy Gospel According to
Matthew
Jesus
said to his disciples: "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and
all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and
all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate
them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the
goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his
left. Then the king will say to those on his right, "Come, you who
are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from
the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed
me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison
and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him and say,
"Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give
you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked
and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit
you?' And the king will say to them in reply, "Amen, I say to you,
whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did
for me.'
The Gospel
of the Lord.
Reading
#18 Luke 7:11-17
A
Reading from the Holy Gospel According to
Luke
Jesus
journeyed to a city called Naim, and his disciples and a large
crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a
man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother,
and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When
the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her,
"Do not weep." He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this
the bearers halted, and he said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!"
The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his
mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming,
"A great prophet has arisen in our midst," and "God has visited his
people." This report about him spread through the whole of Judea
and in all the surrounding region.
The Gospel
of the Lord.
Reading
#19 John 11:21-27
A Reading
from the Holy Gospel According to John
Martha
said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not
have died. [But] even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God
will give you." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise." Martha
said to him, "I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last
day." Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever
believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives
and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" She said
to him, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the
Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world."
The Gospel
of the Lord.
Reading
#20 John 12:23-26
A
Reading from the Holy Gospel According to
John
Jesus
told his disciples: "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be
glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls
to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it
dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and
whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal
life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also
will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.
The Gospel
of the Lord.
Reading
#21 John 14:1-6
A Reading
from the Holy Gospel According to John
Jesus
said to his disciples: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You
have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house
there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have
told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go
and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to
myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where [I] am going you
know the way." Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where
you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am
the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through me."
The Gospel
of the Lord.