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Readings (Old Testament Code 1-17 New Testament 18-56)

Readings highlighted in yellow have been extracted from "THE ROMAN RITUAL - Order of Christian Funerals E.J.Dwyer 1989"
CODE Suggested
Psalm
Reference Reading

0.1

A reading from the book of Genesis (12:1-4)

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him.

0.2

Colossians 3:12-17

As the chosen of God, then, the holy people whom he loves, you are to be clothed in heartfelt compassion, in generosity and humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with one another; forgive each other if one of you has a complaint against another. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same.
Over all these clothes, put on love, the perfect bond.
And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together in one body. Always be thankful.
Let the Word of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God;
and whatever you say or do, let it be in the name of the Lord Jesus, in thanksgiving to God the Father through him.

1

6
Psalm 26

A reading from the book of Job (19:1,23-27a)

Job said: ‘Ah, would that these words of mine were written down, inscribed on some monument with iron chisel and engraving tool, cut into the rock for ever. This I know: that my Avenger lives, and he, the Last, will take his stand on earth. After my awaking, he will set me close to him, and from my flesh I shall look on God. He whom I shall see will take my part: these eyes will gaze on him and find him not aloof.’

1.1

6
Psalm 26

A reading from the book of Job (19:1.23-27)

Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!
That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

1.2

6
Psalm 26

A reading from the book of Job (19:1.23-27)

Job said:
“Ah, would that these words of mine were written down, inscribed on some monument with iron chisel and engraving tool, cut into the rock for ever. This I know: that my Avenger[*a] lives, and he, the Last, will take his stand on earth. After my awaking, he will set me close to him, and from my flesh I shall look on God. He whom I shall see will take my part: these eyes will gaze on him and find him not aloof.”

2

A reading from the Book of Proverbs (31:10-31)

A valiant woman,  who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels.
She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with skilful hands.
She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household.
She girds herself with strength, and sturdy are her arms.
She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy.
She fears not the snow for her household; and all her charges are doubly clothed.
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.
She wates the conduct of her household, and she eats not her food in idleness.
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 fleeing; the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her the reward of her labours, and let her works praise her at the city gates.

2.1

A reading from the Book of Proverbs (31:10-31)

Who shall find a valiant woman?
Who shall find a woman of strength? A pearl of great price is she; all who are with her have confidence in her; and benefit from her experience.
She initiates good, not evil, everyday of her life. She does not neglect her tasks, she willingly works. Broadminded, her understanding of life is a source of nurture for her.
She considers her options, then makes her move, investing the experience of nature for her.
She works diligently, taking pride in her inner resources and strengths. When her gifts are encouraged and their value affirmed she will work wholeheartedly.
She opens her heart to the needy, she is generous with the poor, yet she does not neglect her family’s needs, nor her own priorities.
She is known for her dignity and strength; she laughs at the days to come. She often speaks with wisdom and she teaches in a kindly way. Those who are close to her praise her.
Charm is superficial, and beauty fades, but the woman who is wise is the one to be praised. May all value who she is and may all applaud her integrity.

2.2

A reading from the Book of Proverbs (31:10-31)

A perfect wife - who can find her? She is far beyond the price of pearls. Her husband's heart has confidence in her and he will never be poor. As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax and works with wi1ling hands. She puts her hands to the distaff: and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and bless her, her husband too, praises her. Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates.

2.3

A reading from the Book of Proverbs (31:10-31)

A valiant woman - who can find her?
She is far beyond the price of pearls.
The heart of her husband trusts in her and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm all the days of her life.
She gets up while it is still dark giving her household their food.
She is always busy with wool and cloth she  does her work with eager hands.
She holds out her hand to the poor, she opens her arms to the needy.
She is clothed in strength and dignity, she can laugh at the days to come.
When she opens her mouth, so does so wisely, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Her daughters and sons stand up and proclaim her blessed, her husband too, sings her praises.
Many women have done admirable things, but you surpass them all!
Charm is deceitful and beauty empty;the woman who is wise is the one to praise.
Give her a share in the fruit of her handsand let her works tell her praised at the city gates.

2.4

A reading from the Book of Proverbs (31:10-31)

A perfect wife-who can find her? She is far beyond the price of pearls.
The heart of her husband trusts in her and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm all the days of her life.
She gets up while it is still dark giving her household their food.
She is always busy with wool and cloth,
she does her work with eager hands.
She holds out her hand to the poor, she opens her arms to the needy.
She is clothed in strength and dignity, she can laugh at the days to come.
When she opens her mouth, so does so wisely,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Her daughters and sons stand up and proclaim her blessed,
her husband too, sings her praises.
Many women have done admirable things, but you surpass the all!
Charm is deceitful and beauty empty;
the woman who is wise is the one to praise.
Give her a share in the fruit of her hands
and let her works tell her praised at the city gates.

2.5

 

A reading from the Book of Proverbs (31:10-31)

The truly capable woman -- who can find her?
She is far beyond the price of pearls.
Her husband's heart has confidence in her, from her he will derive no little profit.
Advantage and not hurt she brings him all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax, she does her work with eager hands.
She is like those merchant vessels, bringing her food from far away.
She gets up while it is still dark giving her household their food, giving orders to her serving girls.
She sets her mind on a field, then she buys it; with what her hands have earned she plants a vineyard.
She puts her back into her work and shows how strong her arms can be.
She knows that her affairs are going well; her lamp does not go out at night.
She sets her hands to the distaff, her fingers grasp the spindle.
She holds out her hands to the poor, she opens her arms to the needy.
Snow may come, she has no fears for her household, with all her servants warmly clothed.
She makes her own quilts, she is dressed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land.
She weaves materials and sells them, she supplies the merchant with sashes.
She is clothed in strength and dignity, she can laugh at the day to come.
When she opens her mouth, she does so wisely; on her tongue is kindly instruction.
She keeps good watch on the conduct of her household, no bread of idleness for her.
Her children stand up and proclaim her blessed, her husband, too, sings her praises.
Many women have done admirable things, but you surpass them all!'
Charm is deceitful, and beauty empty; the woman who fears Yahweh is the one to praise.
Give her a share in what her hands have worked for, and let her works tell her praises at the city gates

2.6

A reading from the Book of Proverbs (31:10-12,25-26,28-31)

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 is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs at 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 other 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. Give her a reward of her labours, and let her works praise her at the city gates.

2.7

 

A reading from the Book of Proverbs (31:10-31)

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

3

A reading from the Book of Sirach (44: 10-15)

Let us now praise a good man.

This was a man of mercy, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten; his prosperity will remain with his descendants, and his inheritance to his children's children. His descendants stand by the covenants; his children also, for his sake. His posterity will continue for ever, and his glory will not be blotted out. His body is buried in peace, and his name lives to all generations. People will declare his wisdom, and the congregation proclaims his praise.

3.1

A reading from the Book of Sirach  (44: 10-15)

Here is a generous woman whose good works have not been forgotten.
In her descendants, there remains a rich inheritance born of her;
Her descendants stand by her covenants,
and thanks to her, so do her children’s children.
Her offspring will last forever, her glory will not fade.
Her body will be buried in peace
and her name will live on for all generations.
The people will proclaim her wisdom,
the assembly will celebrate her praises.

3.2

A reading from the Book of Sirach  (44:10-15)

Here is a faithful woman whose good works have not been forgotten. In her descendants there remains a rich inheritance born of her, and thanks to her, in her children's children.
Her offspring will last forever, her glory will not fade. Her body will be buried in peace and her name will live on for all generations.
The people will proclaim her wisdom, the assembly will celebrate her praise.

4

A reading from the book of Ecclesiastes (3:1-11)

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
What gain has the worker from his toil?
I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

4.1

A reading from the book of Ecclesiastes (3:1-10)

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to build up, and a time to break down;
a time to laugh, and a time to weep; a time to dance, and a time to mourn;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
God has made everything suitable for its time.

4.2

A reading from the book of Ecclesiastes (3:1-8,11)

Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses.
A time is set for birth, a time for dying.
A time for sowing, a time for pulling up.
He sets time for sorrow, a time for joy.
A time for searching, a time for losing.
A time for saving, and a time for throwing away.
A time for silence and a time for talking.
A time time for love, a time for peace.
He has set a time for everything.
He has given us the desire to know the future but never given us satisfaction if fully understanding what he does. So we realise that all we can do is be happy and do the best we can while we are still alive.

4.3

A reading from the book of Ecclesiastes (3:1-11)

There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven: A time for giving birth, a time for dying; a time for planting, a time for uprooting what has been planted. A time for killing, a time for healing; a time for knocking down, a time for building. A time for tears, a time for laughter; a time for mourning, a time for dancing. A time for throwing stones away, a time for gathering them up; a time for embracing, a time to refrain from embracing. A time for searching, a time for losing; a time for keeping, a time for throwing away. A time for tearing, a time for sewing; a time for keeping silent, a time for speaking. A time for loving, a time for hating; a time for war, a time for peace

4.4

A reading from the book of Ecclesiastes (3:1-11)

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

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.

4.5

A reading from the book of Ecclesiastes (3:1-8,11)

To ever thing there is a season, and a time to every matter under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace.
God has made everything suitablefor its time.

4.6

A reading from the book of Ecclesiastes (3:1-4)

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven:
He sets time for birth, and a time for death;
the time for planting and the time for pulling up;
the time for killing and the time for healing;
the time for tearing down and the time for building.
He set the time for sorrow and the time for joy;
the time for mourning and the time for rejoicing.

4.7

A reading from the book of Ecclesiastes (3:1-8)

For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

4.8

A reading from the book of Ecclesiastes (3:1-15)

There is an appointed time for everything.
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 for love, and a time for hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

What advantage has a worker for his toil?

I have considered the task, which God has appointed for us to be busied about. He has made everything appropriate to its time and has put the timeless into their hearts, without humankind ever discovering from the beginning to end the work which God has done.

I recognise that there is nothing better than to be glad and to do well during life. For every human being, moreover, to eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labour is a gift from God.

5

1
Psalm 22/23

A reading from the Prophet Isaiah (25: 6-9)

On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food. On this mountain he will remove the mourning veil covering all peoples, and the shroud enwrapping all nations; he will destroy Death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from every cheek; he will take away his people`s shame everywhere on earth, for the Lord has said so. That day, it will be said: See, this is our God in whom we hoped for salvation; the Lord is the one in whom we hoped. We exult and we rejoice that he has saved us.

5.1

1
Psalm 22/23

A reading from the Prophet Isaiah (25: 6-9)

On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food. On this mountain he will remove the mourning veil covering all peoples, and the shroud enwrapping all nations, he will destroy Death for ever. The Lord will wipe away the tears from every cheek; he will take away his people's shame everywhere on earth, for the Lord has said so. That day, it will be said: See, this is our God in whom we hoped for salvation; the Lord is the one in whom we hoped. We exult and we rejoice that he has saved us.

5.2

1
Psalm 22/23

A reading from the Prophet Isaiah (25: 6-8)

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.
And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations;
he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.

6

A reading from the Prophet Isaiah (40: 1- 8)

`Console my people, console them,` says your God. `Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and cry to her that her period of service is ended, that her guilt has been atoned for, that, from the hand of Yahweh, she has received double punishment for all her sins.` A voice cries, `Prepare in the desert a way for Yahweh. Make a straight highway for our God across the wastelands. Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill be levelled, every cliff become a plateau, every escarpment a plain; then the glory of Yahweh will be revealed and all humanity will see it together, for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.` A voice said, `Cry aloud!` and I said, `What shall I cry?` -`All humanity is grass and all its beauty like the wild flower`s. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of Yahweh blows on them. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God remains for ever.`

6.1

A reading from the Prophet Isaiah (43:1-5)

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel:“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name;You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life.
Fear not, for I am with you;
I will bring your descendants from the east,And gather you from the west;

6.2

A reading from the Prophet Isaiah (43:1-7)

But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia[a] and Seba in exchange for you.
Because you are precious in my sight, and honoured, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life.
Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you;
I will say to the north, “Give them up,” and to the south, “Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth - everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

6.3

A reading from the Prophet Isaiah (43:1-5)

Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are mine. Should you pass through the sea, I will be with you; or through rivers, they will not swallow you up. Should you walk through fire you will not be scorched and the flames will not burn you.
For I am Yahweh, your God, the Holy One if Israel, your saviour.

7

A reading from the Prophet Isaiah (60)

Arise, shine out, for your light has come; the glory of God is rising on you though night still covers the earth and darkness the peoples. Above you the Lord now rises and around you his glory appears. At this sight you will grow radiate with joy. No more will the sun give you daylight nor moonlight shine on you for the Lord will be your everlasting light and your days of suffering will be ended.

8

5
Psalm 24

A reading from the Prophet Lamentations (3:17-26

My soul is shut out from peace;  I have forgotten happiness. And now I say, ‘My strength is gone, that hope which came from the Lord’. Brooding on my anguish and affliction is gall and wormwood.
My spirit ponders it continually and sinks within me. This is what I shall tell my heart,  and so recover hope: the favours of the Lord are not all past, his kindnesses are not exhausted; every morning they are renewed; great is his faithfulness. 'My portion is the Lord’ says my soul ‘and so I will hope in him.’ The Lord is good to those who trust him, to the soul that searches for him. It is good to wait in silence for the Lord to save.

8.1

5
Psalm 24

A reading from the Prophet Lamentations (3:17-26)

My soul is shut out from peace: I have forgotten happiness. And now I say, "My strength is gone, that hope which came from the Lord". Brooding on my anguish and affliction is gall and wormwood. My spirit ponders it continually and sinks within me. This is what I shall tell my heart, and so recover hope: the favours of the Lord are not all past, his kindness are not exhausted; every morning they are renewed; great is his faithfulness. 'My portion is the Lord', says my soul 'and so I will hope in him.' The Lord is good to those who trust him, to the soul that searches for him. It is good to wait in silence for the Lord to save.

9

A reading from the Prophet Ezekiel (37:12-14)

So, prophesy. Say to them, "The Lord Yahweh says this:
I am now going to open your graves; I shall raise you from your graves, my people, and lead you back to the soil of Israel. And you will know that I am Yahweh, when I open your graves and raise you from your graves, my people, and put my spirit in you, and you revive, and I resettle you on your own soil. Then you will know that I, Yahweh, have spoken and done this -- declares the Lord Yahweh."

10

7
Psalm 41

A reading from the book of Daniel (12:1-3)

I, Daniel, was doing penance when I received this message from the Lord:
'At that time Michael will arise -- the great Prince, defender of your people. That will be a time of great distress, unparalleled since nations first came into existence. When that time comes, your own people will be spared -- all those whose names are found written in the Book.
'Of those who are sleeping in the Land of Dust, many will awaken, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting disgrace.
Those who are wise will shine as brightly as the expanse of the heavens, and those who have instructed many in uprightness, as bright as stars for all eternity.

11

A reading from the Prophet Micah (7: 7-9)

But I shall look to Yahweh, my hope is in the God who will save me; my God will hear me. Do not gloat over me, my enemy: though I have fallen, I shall rise; though I live in darkness, Yahweh is my light. I must endure Yahweh`s anger for I have sinned against him, until he takes up my cause and rights my wrongs; he will bring me out into the light, and then I shall contemplate his saving justice.

12

A reading from the Book of Wisdom (1:12-16)

Do not court death by the errors of your ways, nor invite destruction through the work of your hands. For God did not make Death, he takes no pleasure in destroying the living. To exist -- for this he created all things; the creatures of the world have health in them, in them is no fatal poison, and Hades has no power over the world: for uprightness is immortal. But the godless call for Death with deed and word, counting him friend, they wear themselves out for him; with him they make a pact, worthy as they are to belong to him.

13

10
Psalm 114 & 115

A reading from the Book of Wisdom (3:1-9)

The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them. In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die, their going looked like a disaster, their leaving us, like annihilation; but they are in peace. If they experienced punishment as people see it, their hope was rich with immortality; slight was their affliction, great will their blessings be. God has put them to the test and proved them worthy to be with him; he has tested them like gold in a furnace, and accepted them as a holocaust. When the time comes for his visitation they will shine out; as sparks run through the stubble, so will they. They shall judge nations, rule over peoples, and the Lord will be their king for ever. They who trust in him will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love; for grace and mercy await those he has chosen.

13.1

10
Psalm 114 & 115

A reading from the Book of Wisdom (3:1-6)

The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them. In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die, their going looked like a disaster, their leaving us, like annihilation; but they are in peace. If they experienced punishment as people see it, their hope was rich with immortality; slight was their affliction, great will their blessings be. God has put them to the test and proved them worthy to be with him; he has tested them like gold in a furnace, and accepted them as a holocaust.

13.2

10
Psalm 114 & 115

A reading from the Book of Wisdom (3:1-6,9)

The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them. In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die, their going looked like a disaster, their leaving us, like annihilation; but they are in peace. If they experienced punishment as people see it, their hope was rich with immortality; slight was their affliction, great will their blessings be. God has put them to the test and proved them worthy to be with him; he has tested them like gold in a furnace, and accepted them as a holocaust. They who trust in him will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love; for grace and mercy await those he has chosen.

14

10
Psalm 114 & 115

A reading from the Book of Wisdom (3:1-4,9)

But 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 people, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and God’s care is with the elect.

15

1.1
Psalm 22

A reading from the Book of Wisdom (4: 7-15)

The virtuous man, though he die before his time, will find rest. Length of days is not what makes age honourable, nor number of years the true measure of life; understanding, this is man`s grey hairs, untarnished life, this is ripe old age. He has sought to please God, so God has loved him; as he was living among sinners, has been taken away. He has been carried off so that evil may not warp his understanding or treachery seduce his soul; for the fascination of evil throws good things into the shade, and the whirlwind of desire corrupts a simple heart. Coming to perfection in so short a while, he achieved long life; his soul being pleasing to the Lord, he has taken him quickly from the wickedness around him. Yet people look on, uncomprehending; and it does not enter their heads that grace and mercy await the chosen of the Lord, and protection, God`s holy ones.

15.1

1.1
Psalm 22

A reading from the Book of Wisdom (4: 7-15)

A virtuous person, though they die before their time, will find rest. Length of days is not what makes age honourable, nor number of years the true measure of life; understanding, this is a person’s grey hairs, untarnished life, this is ripe old age. S/He has sought to please God, so God has loved him/her; As s/he was living among sinners, s/he has been taken up. S/He has been carried off so that evil may not warp his/her understanding or treachery seduce his/her soul; for the fascination of evil throws good things into the shade, and the whirlwind of desire corrupts a simple heart. Coming to perfection is so short a while, s/he achieved long life; his/her soul being pleasing to the Lord, s/he has taken him/her quickly from the wickness around him/her. Yet people look on, uncomprehending; it does not enter their heads that grace and mercy await the chosen of the Lord, and protection, his holy ones.

16

A reading from the prophet Joel (2:12-18)

‘Now, now - it is the Lord who speaks - come back to me with all your heart, fasting, weeping, mourning.’ Let your hearts be broken, not your garments torn, turn to the Lord your God again, for he is all tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in graciousness, and ready to relent.
Who knows if he will not turn again, will not relent, will not leave a blessing as he passes, oblation and libation for the Lord your God> Sound the trumpet in Zion! Order a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly, call the people together, summon the community, assemble the elders, gather the children, even the infants at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his bedroom and the bride her alcove. Between vestibule and alter let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, lament. Let them say, ‘Spare your people, Lord! Do not make your heritage a thing of shame, a byword for the nations. Why should it be said among the nations, “Where is their God?”’ Then the Lord, jealous on behalf of his land, took pity on his people.

17

9
Psalm 102

A reading from the second book of Maccabees (12:43-45)

Judas, the leader of the Jews, took a collection from the people individually, amounting to nearly two thousand drachmae, and sent it to Jerusalem to have a sacrifice for sin offered, an altogether fine and noble action, in which he took full account of the resurrection. For if he had not expected the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead, whereas if he had in view the splendid recompense reserved for those who make a pious end, the thought was holy and devout. This was why he had this atonement sacrifice offered for the dead, so that they might be released from their sins.

18

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (4:1-12)

Peter and John were still speaking to the people when some priests,[a] the officer in charge of the Temple guards, and some Sadducees arrived.
They were annoyed because the two apostles were teaching the people that Jesus had risen from death, which proved that the dead will rise to life.
So they arrested them and put them in jail until the next day, since it was already late.
But many who heard the message believed; and the number grew to about five thousand.

The next day the Jewish leaders, the elders, and the teachers of the Law gathered in Jerusalem.
They met with the High Priest Annas and with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and the others who belonged to the High Priest's family.
They made the apostles stand before them and asked them, “How did you do this? What power do you have or whose name did you use?

Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, answered them, “Leaders of the people and elders:
if we are being questioned today about the good deed done to the lame man and how he was healed,
then you should all know, and all the people of Israel should know, that this man stands here before you completely well through the power of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth—whom you crucified and whom God raised from death.
Jesus is the one of whom the scripture says,

‘The stone that you the builders despised turned out to be the most important of all.’

Salvation is to be found through him alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us.”

19

8
Psalm 62

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (10:34-43)

Peter addressed Cornelius and his household:
“The truth I have now come to realize,” he said, “is that God does not have favourites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.”
It is true, God sent his word to the people of Israel, and it was to them that the good news of peace was brought by Jesus Christ - but Jesus Christ is Lord of all men. You must have heard about the recent happening in Judaea; about Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee, after John had been preaching baptism. God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil. Now I, and those with me, can witness to everything he did throughout the countryside of Jedaea and in Jerusalem itself: and also to the fact that they killed him by hanging him on a tree, yet three days afterwards, God raised him to life and allowed him to be seen, not by the whole people but only by certain witnesses God had chosen beforehand. Now we are those witnesses - we have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection from the dead - and he has ordered us to proclaim this to his people and to tell them that God has appointed him to judge everyone, alive or dead. It is to him that all the prophets bear this witness: that all who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name.

19.1

8
Psalm 62

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 10:34-36, 42-43

Peter addressed Cornelius and his household:
“The truth I have now come to realize,” he said, “is that God does not have favourites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.”
It is true, God sent his word to the people of Israel, and it was to them that the good news of peace was brought by Jesus Christ - but Jesus Christ is Lord of all men, and he has ordered us to proclaim this to his people and to tell them that God has appointed him to judge everyone, alive or dead. It is to him that all the prophets bear this witness: that all who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name.

20

 

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (5:5-11)

Hope is not deceptive, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.
When we were still helpless, at the appointed time, Christ died for the godless.
You could hardly find anyone ready to die even for someone upright; though it is just possible that, for a really good person, someone might undertake to die.
So it is proof of God's own love for us, that Christ died for us while we were still sinners.
How much more can we be sure, therefore, that, now that we have been justified by his death, we shall be saved through him from the retribution of God.
For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more can we be sure that, being now reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
What is more, we are filled with exultant trust in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have already gained our reconciliation.

21

 

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (5:17-21)

If it is certain that death reigned over everyone as the consequence of one man's fall, it is even more certain that one man, Jesus Christ, will cause everyone to reign in life who receives the free gift that he does not deserve, of being made righteous. Again, as one man's fall brought condemnation on everyone, so the good act of one man brings everyone life and makes them justified. As by one man's disobedience many were made righteous. When law came, it was to multiply the opportunities of falling, but however great the number of sins committed, grace was even greater; and so, just as sin reigned wherever there was death, so grace will reign to bring eternal life, thanks to the righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ out Lord.

22

 

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (6:3-9)

When we were baptised in Christ Jesus, we were baptised in his death; in other words, when we were baptised we went into the tomb with him and joined him in death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father’s glory, we too might live a new life.

If in union with Christ, we have imitated his death, we shall also imitate him in his resurrection. We must realise that our former selves have been crucified with him to destroy this sinful body and to free us from the slavery of sin. When a man dies, of course, he has finished with sin.

But we believe that having died with Christ we shall return to life with him: Christ, as we know, having been raised from the dead will never die again. Death has no power over him any more.

22.1

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (6:3-9)

You cannot have forgotten that all of us, when we were baptised into Christ Jesus, were baptised into his death.
So by our baptism into his death we were buried with him, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father's glorious power, we too should begin living a new life.
If we have been joined to him by dying a death like his, so we shall be by a resurrection like his;
realising that our former self was crucified with him, so that the self which belonged to sin should be destroyed and we should be freed from the slavery of sin.
Someone who has died, of course, no longer has to answer for sin.
But we believe that, if we died with Christ, then we shall live with him too.
We know that Christ has been raised from the dead and will never die again. Death has no power over him any more.

22.2

 

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (6:3-4,8-9)

You have been taught that when we are baptised in Christ Jesus we were baptised in his death; in other words, when we were baptised, we went into the tomb with him and joined him in death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father's glory, we too might live a new life.
But we believe that having died with Christ we shall return to life with him: Christ, as we know, having been raised from the dead will never die again. Death has no power over him and more.

22.3

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (6:3-10)

You cannot have forgotten that all of us, when we were baptised into Christ Jesus, were baptised into his death. So by our baptism into his death we were buried with him, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father`s glorious power, we too should begin living a new life. If we have been joined to him by dying a death like his, so we shall be by a resurrection like his;  realising that our former self was crucified with him, so that the self which belonged to sin should be destroyed and we should be freed from the slavery of sin. Someone who has died, of course, no longer has to answer for sin. But we believe that, if we died with Christ, then we shall live with him too. We know that Christ has been raised from the dead and will never die again. Death has no power over him any more. For by dying, he is dead to sin once and for all, and now the life that he lives is life with God.

23

 

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (8:14-23)

Everyone moved by the Spirit is a child of God. The spirit you received is not the spirit of slaves bringing fear into your lives again; it is the spirit of children, and it makes us cry out, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit himself and our spirit bear united witness that we are children of God. And if we are children we are heirs as well: heirs of God and coheirs with Christ, sharing his sufferings so as to share his glory.

I think that what we suffer in this life can never be compared to the glory, as yet unrevealed, which is waiting for us. The whole creation is eagerly waiting for God to reveal his children. It was not for any fault on the part of creation that it was made unable to attain its purpose, it was made so by God. but creation still retains the hope of being freed, like us, from its slavery to decadence, to enjoy the same freedom and glory as the children of God. From the beginning till now the entire creation, as we know, has been groaning in one great act of giving birth; and not only creation, but all of us who possess the first-fruits of the Spirit, we too groan inwardly as we wait for our bodies to be set free.

23.1

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (8:14-23)

All who are guided by the Spirit of God are sons of God;
for what you received was not the spirit of slavery to bring you back into fear; you received the Spirit of adoption, enabling us to cry out, 'Abba, Father!'
The Spirit himself joins with our spirit to bear witness that we are children of God.
And if we are children, then we are heirs, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, provided that we share his suffering, so as to share his glory.
In my estimation, all that we suffer in the present time is nothing in comparison with the glory which is destined to be disclosed for us,
for the whole creation is waiting with eagerness for the children of God to be revealed.
It was not for its own purposes that creation had frustration imposed on it, but for the purposes of him who imposed it-
with the intention that the whole creation itself might be freed from its slavery to corruption and brought into the same glorious freedom as the children of God.
We are well aware that the whole creation, until this time, has been groaning in labour pains.
And not only that: we too, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we are groaning inside ourselves, waiting with eagerness for our bodies to be set free.

23.2

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans (8:14-23)

Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, Abba, “Father!”
The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation with revelation of the children of God: for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

24

 

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (8:31-35,37-39)

With God on our side who can be against us? Since God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up to benefit us all, we may be certain, after such a gift, that he will not refuse anything he can give. Could anyone accuse those that God has chosen? When God acquits, could anyone condemn? Could Christ Jesus? No! He not only died for us - he rose from the dead, and there at God's right hand he stands and pleads for us.

Nothing therefore can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes or being threatened or even attacked. These are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us.

For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or heights or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.

24.1

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (8:31-35,37-39)

After saying this, what can we add? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Since he did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for the sake of all of us, then can we not expect that with him he will freely give us all his gifts?
Who can bring any accusation against those that God has chosen? When God grants saving justice
who can condemn? Are we not sure that it is Christ Jesus, who died -- yes and more, who was raised from the dead and is at God's right hand -- and who is adding his plea for us?
Can anything cut us off from the love of Christ -- can hardships or distress, or persecution, or lack of food and clothing, or threats or violence;
No; we come through all these things triumphantly victorious, by the power of him who loved us.
For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nothing already in existence and nothing still to come, nor any power,
nor the heights nor the depths, nor any created thing whatever, will be able to come between us and the love of God, known to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

25

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (12:5-13)

All of us, in union with Christ, form one body, as parts of it we belong to one another. Our gifts differ according to the grace given to us. If your gift is prophecy, then use it as your faith suggests; if administration, then use it for administration; if teaching, then use it for teaching. Let the preachers deliver sermons, the almsgivers give freely, the officials be diligent, and those who do works of mercy do them cheerfully.
Do not let your love be a pretense, but sincerely prefer good to evil. Love one another as much as community people should, and have a profound respect for any another. Work for the lord with untiring effort and with great earnestness of spirit. If you have hope, this will make you cheerful.
Do not give up if trials come; and keep on praying. If anyone the community is in need, you must share with them; and you should make hospitality your special care.

26

 

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (14:7-12)

The life and death of each of us has its influence on others; if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord, so that alive or dead we belong to the Lord. This explains why Christ both died and came to life, it was so that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. We shall all have to stand before the judgement seat of God; as Scripture says: By my life- it is the Lord who speaks- every knee shall bend before me, and every tongue shall praise God. It is to God, therefore that each of us must give an account of himself.

26.1

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (14:7-12)

The life and death of each of us has its influence on others; if we live, we live for the Lord: and if we die, we die for the Lord, so that alive or dead we belong to the Lord. This explains why Christ both died and came to life, it was so that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. We shall all have to stand before the judgement seat of God; as scripture says: By my life - it is the Lord who speaks - every knee shall bend before me, and every tongue shall praise God. It is to God, therefore, that each of us must give an account of himself.

26.2

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (14:7-12)

For none of us lives for himself and none of us dies for himself; while we are alive, we are living for the Lord, and when we die, we die for the Lord: and so, alive or dead, we belong to the Lord.
It was for this purpose that Christ both died and came to life again: so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Why, then, does one of you make himself judge over his brother, and why does another among you despise his brother? All of us will have to stand in front of the judgement-seat of God: as scripture says: By my own life says the Lord, every knee shall bow before me, every tongue shall give glory to God.
It is to God, then, that each of us will have to give an account of himself.

26.3

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (14:7-12)

The life and death of each of us has its influence on others; if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord, so that alive or dead we belong to the Lord. This explains why Christ both died and came to life, it was so that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. We shall all have to stand before the judgement seat of God; as Scripture says: By my life - it is the Lord who speaks - every knee shall bend before me, and every tongue shall praise God. It is to God, therefore that each of us must give an account of oneself.

26.4

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (14:7-9)

The life and death of each of us has its influence on others; if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord, so that alive or dead we belong to the Lord. This explains why Christ both died and came to life, it was so that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

26.5

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (14:7-9,11)

The life and death of each of us has its influence on others; if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord, so that alive or dead we belong to the Lord. This explains why Christ both died and came to life, it was so that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
It is to God, therefore that each of us must give an account of himself.

26.6

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (14:7-9,10b-12)

We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” So then, each of us will be accountable to God.

26.7

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (14:7-9, 10c-12 )

No one 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 judgement 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.”

27

A reading from the First Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians (12:31,13:1-13) 

Be ambitious for the higher gifts, and I am going to show you a way that is better than any of them.
If I have all the eloquence of angels, But speak without love, I am simply a gong booming or a cymbal clashing.
If I have the gift of prophecy, understanding all the mysteries there are, and knowing everything, and if I have faith in all its fullness, to move mountains, but without love, then I am nothing at all.
If I give away all that I possess, piece by piece, and if I even let them take my body and burn it, but am without love, it will do me no good whatever.
Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence and is not resentful.
Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.
There are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love.

28

A reading from the First Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians (13:1-8)

If I have all the eloquence of men or of angels, but speak without love, I am simply a gong or a cymbal clashing. If I have the gift of prophecy; understanding all the mysteries there are, and knowing everything, and if I have faith in all its fullness, to move mountains, but without love, then I am nothing at all. If I give away all that I possess, piece by piece, and if I even let them take my body to burn it, but am without love, it will do me no good whatever.
Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful or conceited; it is never ride or selfish; it does not take offence and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to and end.

28.1

A reading from the First Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians (13:1-8,12-13)

If I have all the eloquence of men or of angels, but speak without love, I am simply a gong or a cymbal clashing. If I have the gift of prophecy; understanding all the mysteries there are, and knowing everything, and if I have faith in all its fullness, to move mountains, but without love, then I am nothing at all. If I give away all that I possess, piece by piece, and if I even let them take my body to burn it, but am without love, it will do me no good whatever.
Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful or conceited; it is never ride or selfish; it does not take offence and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to and end.

Now we see only reflections in a mirror, mere riddles, but then we shall be seeing face to face. Now I can know only imperfectly; but then I shall know just as fully as I am myself known. As it is, these remain; faith, hope and love, the three of them; and the greatest of these is love.

29

A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (13:4-8,12-13)

Love is always patient and kind; love is never jealous; love is not boastful or conceited, it is never rude and never seeks its own advantage, it does not take offence or store up grievances. Love does not rejoice in wrong-doing, but finds its joy in the truth. It is always ready to make allowances, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes. Love never comes to an end.

Now we see only reflections in a mirror, mere riddles, but then we shall be seeing face to face. Now I can know only imperfectly; but then I shall know just as fully as I am myself known. As it is, these remain; faith, hope and love, the three of them; and the greatest of these is love.

29.1

A reading from the First Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians (13:4-8)

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end.

30

 

A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (15:20-28)

In fact, however, Christ has been raised from the dead, as the first-fruits of all who have fallen asleep.
As it was by one man that death came, so through one man has come the resurrection of the dead.
Just as all die in Adam, so in Christ all will be brought to life;
but all of them in their proper order: Christ the first-fruits, and next, at his coming, those who belong to him.
After that will come the end, when he will hand over the kingdom to God the Father, having abolished every principality, every ruling force and power.
For he is to be king until he has made his enemies his footstool,
and the last of the enemies to be done away with is death, for he has put all things under his feet.
But when it is said everything is subjected, this obviously cannot include the One who subjected everything to him.
When everything has been subjected to him, then the Son himself will be subjected to the One who has subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.

31

 

A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (15:51-57)

I will tell you something that has been secret; that we are not all going to die, but we shall all be changed. This will be instantaneous, in the twinkling of an eye, when the last trumpet sounds. It will sound, and the dead will be raised, imperishable, and we shall be changed as well, because our present perishable nature must put on imperishability and this mortal nature must put on immortality.
When this perishable nature has put on imperishability, and when this mortal nature has put on immortality, then the words of Scripture will come true: Death is swallowed up in victory. Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting? Now the sting of death is sin, and sin gets its power from the Law. SO let us thank God for giving us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

31.1

A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (15:51-57)

Now I am going to tell you a mystery: we are not all going to fall asleep,
but we are all going to be changed, instantly, in the twinkling of an eye, when the last trumpet sounds. The trumpet is going to sound, and then the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed,
because this perishable nature of ours must put on imperishability, this mortal nature must put on immortality.
And after this perishable nature has put on imperishability and this mortal nature has put on immortality, then will the words of scripture come true: Death is swallowed up in victory.
Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin comes from the Law.
Thank God, then, for giving us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord.

32

 

A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians  (4:14-5:1)

We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.
Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.
For 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.

32.1

A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians  (4:14-5:1)

We know that he who raised the Lord Jesus to life will raise us with Jesus in our turn, and put us by his side and you with us.
You see, all this is for your benefit, so that the more grace is multiplied among people, the more thanksgiving there will be, to the glory of God. That is why there is no weakening on our part, and instead, though this outer man of ours may be falling into decay, the inner man is renewed day by day.
Yes, the troubles which are soon over, though they weigh little, train us for the carrying of a weight of eternal glory which is out of all proportion to them. And so we have no eyes for things that are visible, but only for things that are invisible; for visible things last only for a time, and the invisible things are eternal.
For we know that when the tent that we live in on earth is folded up, there is a house built by God for us, an everlasting home not made by human hands, in the heavens.

33

 

A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (5,1.6-10)

We know that when the tent that we live in on earth is folded up, there is a house built by God for us, an everlasting home not made by human hands, in the heavens. We are always full of confidence, then, when we remember that to live in the body means to be exiled from the Lord, going as we do by faith and not by sight - we are full of confidence, I say, and actually want to be exiled from the body and make our home with the Lord. Whether we are living in the body or exiled from it, we are intent on pleasing him. For all the truth about us will be bought out in the law of Christ, and each of us will get what he deserves for the things he did in the body, good or bad.

33.1

A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (5,1.6-10)

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.
We are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in our 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 to the Lord. Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home to the Lord. For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.

34

A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (5.20-6.2)

We are ambassadors for Christ; it is as though God were appealing through us, and the appeal that we make in Christ’s name is: be reconciled to God. For our sake God made the sinless one into sin, so that in him we might become the goodness of God. As his fellow workers, we beg you once again not to neglect the grace of God that you have received. For he says: “At the favourable time, I have listened to you; on the day of salvation I came to your help”. Well, now is the favourable time; this is the day of salvation.

35

A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (13:4-7)

Love is patient, and kindl it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offense; and it is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people's sins - but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end.

36

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians (2:1-4)

If our life in Christ means anything to you, if love can persuade at all, or the Spirit that we have in common, or any tenderness and sympathy, then be united in your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind. That is the one thing which would make me completely happy. There must be no competition among you, no conceit, but everybody is to be self-effacing. Always consider the other person to be better than yourself, so that nobody thinks of their own interests first but everybody thinks of other people’s interests instead.

37

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians (3:17-21)

Be united in imitating me. Keep your eyes fixed on those who act according to the example you have from me. For there are so many people of whom I have often warned you, and now I warn you again with tears in my eyes, who behave like the enemies of Christ`s cross. They are destined to be lost; their god is the stomach; they glory in what they should think shameful, since their minds are set on earthly things. But our homeland is in heaven and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transfigure the wretched body of ours into the mould of his glorious body, through the working of the power which he has, even to bring all things under his mastery.

38

 

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians (3:20-21)

For us, our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the saviour we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body. He will do that by the same power with which he can subdue the whole universe.

38.1

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians (3:20-21)

But our homeland is in heaven and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ,
who will transfigure the wretched body of ours into the mould of his glorious body, through the working of the power which he has, even to bring all things under his mastery.

38.2

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians (3:20-21)

Jesus will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours to be like his glorious body.
For us, our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the saviour we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body. He will do that by the same power with which he can subdue the whole universe.

39

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians (4:4-9)

I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord; I repeat, what I want is your happiness. Let your tolerance be evident to everyone; the Lord is very near.  There is no reason to worry, but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it with much prayer and thanksgiving, and the peace of God, which is so much greater than we can understand, will guard your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, fill your minds with everything that is good and pure, everything that we love and honour, and everything that can be thought virtuous or worthy of praise. Keep doing all the things that you learnt from me and have been taught by me and have heard or seen that I do. Then the God of peace will be with you.

40

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians (4:6)

The God of peace will be with you.

There is no need to worry, but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is so much greater than we can understand, will guard your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus.
Fill your mind with everything that is true, everything that is noble, everything that is good and pure, everything that we love and honour and everything that can be thought virtuous or worthy of praise.
Keep doing all the things that you learnt from me and have been taught by me and have heard or seen that I do.

41

A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (1:3-5)

Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings of heaven in Christ.
Thus he chose us in Christ before the world was made to be holy and faultless before him in love,
marking us out for himself beforehand, to be adopted sons, through Jesus Christ. Such was his purpose and good pleasure,

42

 

A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians (4: 13-18)

We want you to be quite certain, about those who have died, to make sure that you do not grieve about them, like the other people who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and that it will be the same for those who have died in Jesus: God will bring them with him. We can tell you this from the Lord's own teaching, that any of us who are left alive until the Lord's coming will not have any advantage over those who have died. At the trumpet of God, the voice of the archangel will call out the command and the Lord himself will come down from heaven; those who have died in Christ will be the first to rise, and then those of us who are still alive will be taken up in the clouds, together with them, to meet the Lord in the air. So we shall stay with the Lord for ever. With such thoughts as these you should comfort one another.

42.1

A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians (4: 13-18)

We want you to be quite certain, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, to make sure that you do not grieve for them, as others do who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and that in the same way God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. We can tell you this from the Lord`s own teaching, that we who are still alive for the Lord`s coming will not have any advantage over those who have fallen asleep.

At the signal given by the voice of the Archangel and the trumpet of God, the Lord himself will come down from heaven; those who have died in Christ will be the first to rise, and only after that shall we who remain alive be taken up in the clouds, together with them, to meet the Lord in the air. This is the way we shall be with the Lord for ever.

42.2

A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians (4: 13-18)

We want you to be quite certain, brothers, about those who have died, to make sure that you do not grieve about them, like the other people who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and that it will be the same for those who have died in Jesus: God will bring them with him. We can tell you this from the Lord’s own teaching, that any of us who are left alive until the Lord’s coming will not have any advantage over those who have died. At the trumpet of God, the voice of the archangel will call out the command and the Lord will come down from heaven: those who have died in Christ will be the first to rise, and then those of us who are still alive will be taken up in himself the clouds together with them, to meet the Lord in the air. So we shall stay with the Lord for ever. With such thoughts as these you should comfort one another.

43

A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (1:8-10)

Bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God. He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began, but now made manifest through the appearance of our saviour Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.

44

 

A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (2:8-13)

Remember the gospel that I carry, 'Jesus Christ risen from the dead, sprung from the race of David';
it is on account of this that I have to put up with suffering, even to being chained like a criminal. But God's message cannot be chained up.
So I persevere for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they, too, may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Here is a saying that you can rely on: If we have died with him, then we shall live with him.
If we persevere, then we shall reign with him. If we disown him, then he will disown us.
If we are faithless, he is faithful still, for he cannot disown his own self.

45

A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (4:6-11)

As for me, my life is already being poured away as an offering, and the time has come for me to depart.
I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come for me now is the crown of uprightness which the Lord, the upright judge, will give me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his appearing.

45.1

A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (4:6-11)

As for me the time is here for me to leave this life. I have done my best in the race. I have run the full distance and I have kept the faith. And now there is waiting for me the prize of victory awarded for a Righteous life, the prize which the Lord, the righteous judge will give me on that day - and not only me, but all those who wait with love for that time to appear. And the Lord will rescue me from all evil, and take me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. To him be the glory for ever and ever.

45.2

A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (4:6-8)

The time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

45.3

A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (4:6-8)

The time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

45.4

A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (4:6-8)

The time has come for me to depart. I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come for me now is the crown of uprightness which the Lord, the upright judge, will give to me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his appearing.

45.5

A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (4:6-8)

I can see now that my life is coming towards its end, and that the time has come for me to be gone. I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith. All there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord will give to me, and not only to me but to all who have lived in faith and hope.

45.6

A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (4:6-8)

As for me I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

45.7

A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (4:6-8)

As for me, my life is already being poured away, and the time has come for me to depart.
I have fought the good fight to the end;  I have run the race to the finish;  I have kept the faith; all there is to come for me now is the crown of glory which the Lord will give me on that Day of Judgement; The Lord stood by me and gave me strength. The Lord will rescue me from all evil and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.

45.8

A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (4:6-8)

My life is running out like water poured from a jug and the time has come for me to be gone. I have fought the good fight to the end. I have run the race to the finish line. I have kept the faith. All there is to come now is the victory prize of being put right with God, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day and not only to me, but to all those who wait with love for him to appear.

45.9

A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (4:6-8,18)

My life is running out like water poured from a jug and the time has come for me to be gone. I have fought the good fight to the end. I have run the race to the finish line. I have kept the faith. All there is to come now is the victory prize of being put right with God, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day and not only to me, but to all those who wait with love for him to appear. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

45.11

A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (4:6-8,18)

As for me the time for me to leave this life. I have done the best in the race. I have run the full distance and have kept the faith. And now there is waiting for me the prize of victory awarded for the righteous life. The prize which the Lord, the righteous judge will give me on the day and not only to me on that day but to all those who long for him to appear. And the Lord will rescue me from all evil and take me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory, forever and ever.

46

A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to Titus (3:4-7)

When the kindness and love of God our Saviour for humanity were revealed, it was not because of any upright actions we had done ourselves; it was for no reason except his own faithful love that he saved us, by means of the cleansing water of rebirth and renewal in the Holy Spirit which he has so generously poured over us through Jesus Christ our Saviour; so that, justified by his grace, we should become heirs in hope of eternal life.

47

Epistle of James (5:7-11)

Now be patient, brothers, until the Lord`s coming. Think of a farmer: how patiently he waits for the precious fruit of the ground until it has had the autumn rains and the spring rains! You too must be patient; do not lose heart, because the Lord`s coming will be soon. Do not make complaints against one another, brothers, so as not to be brought to judgement yourselves; the Judge is already to be seen waiting at the gates. For your example, brothers, in patiently putting up with persecution, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord`s name; remember it is those who had perseverance that we say are the blessed ones. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and understood the Lord`s purpose, realising that the Lord is kind and compassionate.

48

A reading from the letter of Saint Peter (3: 10-14)

The Day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then with a roar the sky will vanish, the elements will catch fire and melt away, the earth and all that it contains will be burned up. Since everything is coming to an end like this, what holy and saintly lives you should be living while you wait for the Day of God to come, and try to hasten its coming: on that Day the sky will dissolve in flames and the elements melt in the heat. What we are waiting for, relying on his promises, is the new heavens and new earth, where uprightness will be at home. So then, my dear friends, while you are waiting, do your best to live blameless and unsullied lives so that he will find you at peace.

49

A reading from the first letter of Saint John  (1:1-4)

Something which has existed since the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have watched and touched with our own hands, the Word of life -- this is our theme.

That life was made visible; we saw it and are giving our testimony, declaring to you the eternal life, which was present to the Father and has been revealed to us.

We are declaring to you what we have seen and heard, so that you too may share our life. Our life is shared with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

We are writing this to you so that our joy may be complete.

50

 

A reading from the first letter of Saint John  (3:1-2)

Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God's children; and that is what we are. Because the world refused to acknowledge him, therefore it does not acknowledge us. My dear people, we are already the children of God but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed; all we know is, that when it is revealed we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is.

50.1

A reading from the first letter of Johnn (3:1-2, 10, 14, 16, 23.)

Brothers and sisters, you must see what great love the Father has lavished on us by letting us be called God’s children - which is what we are!
My dear friends, we are already God’s children, but what we shall be in the future has not yet been revealed. We are well aware that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he really is.
This is what distinguishes the children of God whoever does not live uprightly and does not love his brother is not from God.
We are well aware that we have passed over from death to life because we love our brothers.
This is the proof of love that he laid down his life for us, and we too ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
His commandment is this, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and that we should love each other as he commanded us.

51

A reading from the first letter of Saint John (3:14-16)

We are well aware that we have passed over from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love, remains in death.
 Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you are well aware that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.
This is the proof of love, that he laid down his life for us, and we too ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

52

A reading from the book of the Apocalypse (7:9-10.15-17)

After that I saw that there was a huge number, impossible for anyone to count, of people from every nation, race, tribe and language; they were standing in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palms in their hands. They shouted in a loud voice,
'Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'
That is why they are standing in front of God's throne and serving him day and night in his sanctuary; and the One who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.
They will never hunger or thirst again; sun and scorching wind will never plague them,
because the Lamb who is at the heart of the throne will be their shepherd and will guide them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.'

53

13
Psalm 129

A reading from the book of the Apocalypse (14:13)

I, John, heard a voice from heaven say to me, "Write down: Happy are those who die in the Lord! Happy indeed, the Spirit says; now they can rest for ever after their work, since their good deeds go with them."

53.1

13
Psalm 129

A reading from the book of the Apocalypse (14:13)

Happy are those who die in the Lord'
 I, John heard a voice from heaven say to me, "Write down; Happy those who die in the Lord! Happy indeed, the Spirit says; now they can rest for ever after their work, since their good deeds go with them."

53.2

13
Psalm 129

A reading from the book of the Apocalypse (14:13)

I, John, heard a voice from heaven say to me, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes", said the Spirit, "let them find rest from their labours, for their works accompany them."

54

14
Psalm 142

A reading from the book of the Apocalypse (20:11-21:1)

I, John, saw a great white throne, and the one who was sitting on it. In his presence, earth and sky vanished; leaving no trace.
I saw the dead, both small and great, standing in front of his throne, while the book of life was opened: and other books opened which were the record of what they had done in their lives, by which the dead were judged.
The sea gave up all the dead who were in it; Death and Hades were emptied of the dead that were in them; and every one was judged according to the way in which he had lived. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the burning lake. This burning lake is the second death and anybody whose name could not be found written in the book of life was thrown into the burning lake.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared now, and there was no longer any sea.

55

11
Psalm 121

A reading from the book of the Apocalypse (21:1-5a, 6b-7)

I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth; the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared now, and there was no lomger any sea. I saw the holy city, and the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, as beautiful as a bride dressed for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice from the throne, “You see this city? Here God lives among men. He will make his home among them: they shall be his peoples, and he will be their God; his name is God-with-them. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; there will be no more death, and no more mourning or sadness. The world of the past has gone."
Then the One sitting on the throne spoke: 'Now I am making the whole of creation new,' he said. 'I am the Alpha anf the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give water from the well of life free to anybody who is thirsty; it is the rightful inherttance of the one who proves victorious; and I will be his God and he a son to me.'

55.1

11
Psalm 121

A reading from the book of the Apocalypse (21:1-5a, 6b-7)

I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth; the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared now, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the holy city, and the new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven, as beautiful as a bride all dressed for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice call from the throne, ‘You see this city? Here God lives among men. He will make his home among them; they shall be his people, and he will be their God; his name is God-with-them. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; there will be no more death, and no more mourning or sadness. The world of the past has gone.’

Then the One sitting on the throne spoke: ‘Now I am making the whole of creation new,’ he said. ‘I will give water from the well of life free to anybody who is thirsty; it is the rightful inheritance of the one who proves victorious; and I will be his God and he a son to me.’

56

A reading from the Book of Revelations (22:4-5)

They will see the Lord face to face, and his name will be written on their foreheads.  It will never be night again, and they will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will be shinning on them.  They will reign for ever and ever.