Readings

Funeral readings are a selection of scripture passages chosen from the Old Testament, New Testament, and Gospels, often accompanied by a Responsorial Psalm.

The purpose is to offer comfort and hope through passages about God's love, the resurrection of Jesus, and the promise of eternal life.

Old Testament Readings

Reading 1

A reading from the Second Book of Maccabees.

In those days: Judas, the leader of Israel 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, that they might be delivered from their sin.

Reading 2

A reading from the Book of Job.

Job said, 'Oh that my words were written down! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock for ever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself'.

Reading 3

A reading from the Book of Wisdom.

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 an evil thing, and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. For though in the sight of men 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 whole 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 for ever. 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 chosen.

Reading 4

A reading from the Book of Wisdom.

The righteous man, though he 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 human beings, and a blameless life is ripe old age. There was one who pleased God and was loved by him, and while living among sinners he was taken up. He was caught up lest evil change his understanding, or guile deceive his soul. For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good, and roving desire perverts the innocent mind. Being perfected in a short time, he fulfilled long years; for his soul was pleasing to the Lord, therefore he took him 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 he watches over his holy ones.

Reading 5

A reading from the Prophet Isaiah.

On that day: On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food. And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death for ever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, 'Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.'

Reading 6

A reading from the Book of Lamentations.

My soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what goodness is; so I say, 'My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the Lord.' Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually remembers 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 who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Reading 7

A reading from the Prophet Daniel.

In those days: I, Daniel, was mourning and heard the voice of the Lord: 'At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.'

New Testament Readings

Reading 8

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.

Brothers and Sisters: Hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Reading 9

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.

Brothers and Sisters: For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man; much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Reading 10

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.

Brothers and Sisters: Do you not know that all of us who have been baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.

Reading 11

A reading from the First Letter of Saint John.

Beloved: We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers and sisters. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers and sisters.

Psalms

Psalm 1

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me; he revives my soul.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

He guides me along the right path, for the sake of his name. Though I should walk in the valley of the shadow of death, no evil would I fear, for you are with me. Your crook and your staff will give me comfort.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

You have prepared a table before me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. In the Lord's own house shall I dwell for length of days unending.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Psalm 2

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Remember your compassion, O Lord, and your merciful love, for they are from of old. In your merciful love remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Relieve the anguish of my heart, and set me free from my distress. See my lowliness and suffering, and take away all my sins.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Preserve my life and rescue me. Let me not be put to shame, for in you I take refuge. May integrity and virtue protect me, for I have hoped in you, O Lord.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Psalm 3

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; whom should I dread?

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

There is one thing I ask of the Lord, only this do I seek: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord, to enquire at his temple.

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

O Lord, hear my voice when I call; have mercy and answer me. It is your face, O Lord, that I seek; hide not your face from me.

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

I believe I shall see the Lord's goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong; be stout-hearted, and wait for the Lord!

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Psalm 4

My soul is thirsting for the living God.

Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God.

My soul is thirsting for the living God.

My soul is thirsting for God, the living God; when can I enter and appear before the face of God?

My soul is thirsting for the living God.

For I would go to the place of your wondrous tent, all the way to the house of God, amid cries of gladness and thanksgiving.

My soul is thirsting for the living God.

O send forth your light and your truth; they will guide me on. They will bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.

My soul is thirsting for the living God.

And I will come to the altar of God, to God, my joy and gladness. To you will I give thanks on the harp, O God, my God.

My soul is thirsting for the living God.

Why are you cast down, my soul; why groan within me? Hope in God; I will praise him yet again, my saving presence and my God.

My soul is thirsting for the living God.

Psalm 5

For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God.

O God, you are my God; at dawn I seek you; for you my soul is thirsting. For you my flesh is pining, like a dry, weary land without water.

For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God.

I have come before you in the sanctuary, to behold your strength and your glory. Your loving mercy is better than life; my lips will speak your praise.

For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God.

I will bless you all my life; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul shall be filled as with a banquet; with joyful lips, my mouth shall praise you.

For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God.

For you have been my strength; in the shadow of your wings I rejoice. My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me.

For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God.

Psalm 6

The Lord is compassionate and gracious.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and rich in mercy. He does not treat us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our faults.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious.

As a father has compassion on his children, the Lord's compassion is on those who fear him. For he knows of what we are made; he remembers that we are dust.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious.

Man, his days are like grass; he flowers like the flower of the field. The wind blows, and it is no more, and its place never sees it again.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious.

But the mercy of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear, upon children's children his justice, for those who keep his covenant, and remember to fulfil his commands.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious.

Psalm 7

I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

How gracious is the Lord, and just; our God has compassion. The Lord protects the simple; I was brought low, and he saved me.

I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

I trusted, even when I said, "I am sorely afflicted," and when I said in my alarm, "These people are all liars."

I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

How precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful. Your servant, Lord, your servant am I, you have loosened my bonds.

I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.

Psalm 8

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

I rejoiced when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord." And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord as it is decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. There were set the thrones for judgement, the thrones of the house of David.

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

For the peace of Jerusalem pray, "May they prosper, those who love you." May peace abide in your walls, and security be in your towers.

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

For the sake of my family and friends, let me say, "Peace upon you." For the sake of the house of the Lord, our God, I will seek good things for you.

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Psalm 9

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! O let your ears be attentive to the sound of my pleadings.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But with you is found forgiveness, that you may be revered.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.

I long for you, O Lord, my soul longs for his word. My soul awaits the Lord more than watchmen for daybreak.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.

More than watchmen for daybreak, let Israel hope for the Lord. For with the Lord there is mercy, in him is plentiful redemption. It is he who will redeem Israel.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.

Psalm 10

Listen, O Lord, to my prayer.

Listen, O Lord, to my prayer; turn your ear to my appeal. You are faithful, you are just; give answer. Do not call your servant to judgement, for no one is righteous in your sight.

Listen, O Lord, to my prayer.

I remember the days that are past; I ponder all your works. I muse on what your hand has wrought, and to you I stretch out my hands. My soul is like a parched land before you.

Listen, O Lord, to my prayer.

O Lord, make haste and answer me, for my spirit fails within me. In the morning, let me hear your loving mercy, for in you I place my trust.

Listen, O Lord, to my prayer.

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your good spirit guide me upon ground that is level.

Listen, O Lord, to my prayer.

Gospel Acclamations

Acclamation in Lent

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord. Everyone who believes in me shall never die.

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

Acclamation outside of Lent

Alleluia! Alleluia!

I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord. Everyone who believes in me shall never die.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Gospel Readings

Gospel Reading 1 — Matthew 5:3-10

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

At that time: Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.'

Gospel Reading 2 — Matthew 11:28

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

At that time Jesus declared, 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.'

Gospel Reading 3 — Matthew 25:1-13

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

At that time: Jesus told his disciples this parable, 'Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, "Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him." Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out." But the wise answered, saying, "Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves." And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterwards the other virgins came also, saying, "Lord, lord, open to us." But he answered, "Truly, I say to you, I do not know you." Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.'

Gospel Reading 4 — Matthew 25:31-46

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, 'When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me." Then the righteous will answer him, saying, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?" And the King will answer them, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me." Then he will say to those on his left, "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me." Then they also will answer, saying, "Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?" Then he will answer them, saying, "Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me." And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.'

Gospel Reading 5 — Mark 15:33-39

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.

And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' And some of the bystanders hearing it said, 'Behold, he is calling Elijah.' And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, 'Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.' And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, 'Truly this man was the Son of God!'

Gospel Reading 6 — Luke 7:11-17

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

At that time: Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, 'Do not weep.' Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, 'Young man, I say to you, arise.' And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, 'A great prophet has arisen among us!' and 'God has visited his people!' And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.

Gospel Reading 7 — Luke 12:35-40

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, 'Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service, and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.'

Gospel Reading 8 — Luke 23:33-43

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left One of the criminals who were hanged there railed at Jesus, saying, 'Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!' But the other rebuked him, saying, 'Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.' And he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' And he said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.'

Gospel Reading 9 — Luke 23:44-56 & 24:1-6

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the Temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!' And having said this he breathed his last. Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, and wrapped it in a linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, 'Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.'

Gospel Reading 10 — Luke 23:44-53

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Gospel Reading 11 — Luke 24:13-35

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

On the first day of the week, two of the disciples of Jesus were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognising him. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, 'Stay with us, for it is towards evening and the day is now far spent.' So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognised him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?' And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the Eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, 'The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!' Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.