First Readings from the Old Testament
Outside of the Easter Season
'But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfullness.' Lamentations 3: 21-23
In every celebration for the dead, the Church attaches great importance to the reading of the word of God. The readings proclaim to the assembly the Paschal Mystery, teach remembrance of the dead, convey the hope of being gathered together again in God's kingdom, and encourage the witness of Christian life. Above all, the readings tell of God's designs for a world in which suffering and death will relinquish their hold on all whom God has called his own. A careful selection and use of readings from Scripture for the funeral rites will provide the family with an opportunity to hear God speak to them in their needs, sorrows, fears, and hopes’. (OCF No 22-23)
Within most parishes the family members have the choice of choosing the readings and the psalm appropriate for their loved one. Family and friends are welcome to proclaim the first two readings while the priest will select and proclaim the Gospel Reading.
First Readings choose one
Second Reading choose one
Gospel Reading selected and read by the parish Priest
During the funeral the Scriptures will be proclaimed from the Lectionary provided to you by the parish. The parish Priest is available to guide you in your selection of the readings. During the funeral liturgy, the Biblical readings may not be replaced by nonbiblical readings, poems, quotations or unapproved translations of the Bible. During the vigil prayer service with the family, nonbiblical readings, poems and quotations may be used in addition to readings from Scripture.
The readings provided have been obtained from the Lectionary as published in the ‘Sacred Scripture Selections for a Funeral Liturgy’ by the National Liturgy Office.
2 Maccabees 12:43-45 1011(1)
He acted very well and honourably, taking account of the resurrection.
A Reading from the second Book of Maccabees
He also took up a collection, man by man,
to the amount of two thousand drachmas of silver,
and sent it to Jerusalem to provide for a sin-offering.
In doing this he acted very well and honourably,
taking account of the resurrection.
For if he were not expecting
that those who had fallen would rise again,
it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead.
But if he was looking to the splendid reward
that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness,
it was a holy and pious thought.
Therefore he made atonement for the dead,
so that they might be delivered from their sin.
The word of the Lord.
Job 19:1, 23-27 1011(2)
I know that my Redeemer Lives.
A Reading from the Book of Job
Then Job answered:
O that my words were written down!
O that they were inscribed in a book!
O that with an iron pen and with lead
they were engraved on a rock forever!
For I know that my Redeemerlives
and that at the last he will stand upon the earth;
and after my skin has been thus destroyed,
then in my flesh I shall see God,
whom I shall see on my side,
and my eyes shall behold,
and not another.
The word of the Lord
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 1011(2A)
For everything there is a season.
A Reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes
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 t time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
What gain have the workers from their toil?
I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with.
He has made everything suitable for its time.
The word of the Lord.
Wisdom 3:1-9 1011(3)
And like sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.
A Reading from the Book of Wisdom (a shorter version follows)
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.
In the eyes of the foolish, they seemed to have died,
and their departure was thought to be a disaster,
and their going from us to be their destruction,
but they are at peace.
For though in the sight of others they were punished,
their hope is full of immortality.
Having been disciplined a little,
they will receive great good,
because God tested them
and found them worthy of himself;
like gold in the furnace he tried them,
and like a sacrificial burnt-offering he accepted them.
In the time of their visitation they will shine forth,
and will run like sparks through the stubble.
They will govern nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord will reign over them forever.
Those who trust in him will understand truth,
and the faithful will abide with him in love,
because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones,
and he watches over his elect.
The word of the Lord
OR
Wisdom 3:1-6, 9
And like sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them
A Reading from the Book of Wisdom
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.
In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,
and their departure was thought to be a disaster,
and their going from us to be their destruction,
but they are at peace.
For though in the sight of others they were punished,
their hope is full of immortality.
Having been disciplined a little,
they will receive great good,
because God tested them
and found them worthy of himself;
like gold in the furnace he tried them,
and like a sacrificial burnt-offering he accepted them.
Those who trust in him will understand truth,
and the faithful will abide with him in love,
because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones,
and he watches over his elect.
The word of the Lord
Wisdom 4:7-15 1011(4)
A blameless life is ripe old age.
A Reading from the Book of Wisdom
But the righteous, though they die early,
will be at rest.
For old age is not honoured for length of time,
or measured by number of years;
but understanding is grey hair for anyone,
and a blameless life is ripe old age.
There were some who pleased God and were loved by him,
and while living among sinners were taken up.
They were caught up
so that evil might not change their understanding
or guile deceive their soul.
For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good,
and roving desire perverts the innocent mind.
Being perfected in a short time, they fulfilled long years;
for their souls were pleasing to the Lord,
therefore he took them quickly from the midst of wickedness.
Yet the peoples saw and did not understand,
or take such a thing to heart,
that God’s grace and mercy are with his elect,
and that he watches over his holy ones.
The word of the Lord
Isaiah 25:6-9 1011(5)
The Lord will swallow up death forever.
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah
On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food,
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.
It will be said on that day,
Lo, this is our God;
we have waited for him so that he might save us.
This is the Lord for whom we have waited;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
The word of the Lord
Isaiah 61:1-3 1011(5A)
The Lord has sent me to comfort all who mourn
A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah
The spirit of the LORD GOD is upon me,
Because the LORD has anointed me;
He has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
To bind up the broken hearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And release to the prisoners;
To proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn;
To provide for those who mourn in Zion –
To give them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
The word of the Lord.
Isaiah 65:17-21 1011(5B)
No more shall the sound of weeping be heard
A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah
Thus says the LORD:
I am about to create new heavens and a new earth;
The former things shall not be remembered
Or come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever
In what I am creating;
For I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy,
And its people as a delight.
I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
And delight in my people;
No more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it,
Or the cry of distress.
The word of the Lord.
Lamentations 3: 17-26 1011(6)
It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the lord.
A Reading from the Book of Lamentations
My soul is bereft of peace;
I have forgotten what happiness is;
so I say, ‘Gone is my glory,
and all that I had hoped for from the Lord.’
The thought of my affliction and my homelessness
is wormwood and gall!
My soul continually thinks of it
and is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul,
‘therefore I will hope in him.’
The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul that seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
The word of the Lord
Ezekiel 37:12-14 1011(6A)
I am going to open your graves.
A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel
“Therefore prophesy, and say to them,
Thus says the LORD GOD:
I am going to open your graves,
And bring you up from your graves, O my people;
And I will bring you back to the land of Israel.
And you shall know that I am the LORD
When I open your graves,
And bring you up from your graves, O my people.
I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live,
And I will place you on your own soil;
Then you shall know that I, the LORD,
Have spoken and will act,” says the LORD.
The word of the Lord.
Daniel 12:1-3 1011(7)
Those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.
A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Daniel.
At that time Michael, the great price,
The protector of your people, shall arise.
There shall be a time of anguish,
Such as has never occurred
Since nations first came into existence.
But at that time your people shall be delivered,
Everyone who is found written in the book.
Many of those who sleep
In the dust of the earth shall awake,
Some to everlasting life,
And some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky,
And those who lead many to righteousness,
Like the stars forever and ever.
The word of the Lord.
First Readings from New Testament during Easter
Second Readings from New Testament
Springfield Funeral Home
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the information in these pages is accurate and in accordance with the teachings of the Church and/or the customs and practices of the local church, specifically the Diocese of Nelson. Springfield Funeral Home does not represent or speak on behalf of the Diocese of Nelson. Please defer to the directive of the local ordinary or to the Pastor of the parish if there is a discrepancy of information contained in these pages. Local parishes may have their own traditions, requests and/or resources. We would appreciate to be notified of any errors, whether liturgical or grammatical in nature. Please send any such notices to contact@springfieldfuneralhome.com.
