Readings, Intercessions and Music for Funerals

Old Testament Readings

OLD TESTAMENT READINGS
Please select ONE (1) Old Testament Reading from this section
(except if the Funeral Mass date is during Easter Season (Easter Sunday through Pentecost); instead, see the next section labeled New Testament Easter Season Reading and select the 1st Reading from there.)
OT ONE ~ 2 Maccabees 12:43-46
A Reading from the Book of Maccabees
Judas, the ruler of Israel, then took up a collection among all his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin.
The Word of the Lord.

OT TWO ~ Job 19:1, 23-27 “I know that my Redeemer lives.”
A Reading from the Book of Job
Job answered Bildad the Shuhite and said: Oh, would that my words were written down! Would that they were inscribed in a record: That with an iron chisel and with lead they were cut in the rock forever! But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives, and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust; Whom I myself shall see: my own eyes, not another's, shall behold him, and from my flesh I shall see God; my inmost being is consumed with longing.
The Word of the Lord

OT THREE ~ Wisdom 3:1-9 “Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones.”
A Reading from the Book of Wisdom
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 affliction and their passing away was thought an affiliation and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.
The Word of the Lord.

OT FOUR ~ Wisdom 4:7-15 “An unsullied life, the attainment of old age.”
A Reading from the Book of Wisdom
The just man, though he die early, shall be at rest. For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in terms of years. Rather, understanding is the hoary crown for men, and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age. He who pleased God was loved; he who lived among sinners was transported. Snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind or deceit beguile his soul; for the witchery of paltry things obscures what is right and the whirl of desire transforms the innocent mind. Having become perfect in a short while, he reached the fullness of a long career; for his soul was pleasing to the Lord, therefore he sped him out of the midst of wickedness. But the people saw and did not understand, nor did they take this into account. Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones and his care is with his elect.
The Word of the Lord.

OT FIVE ~ Isaiah 25:6, 7-9 “He will destroy death forever.”
A Reading from the Prophet Isaiah
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken. On that day it will be said: "Behold our God to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!"
The Word of the Lord

OT SIX ~ Lamentations 3:17-26 “Hope in silence for the saving help of the Lord.”
A Reading from the Book of Lamentations
My soul is deprived of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is; I tell myself my future is lost, all that I hoped for from the Lord. The thought of my homeless poverty is wormwood and gall; remembering it over and over leaves my soul downcast within me. But I will call this to mind, as my reason to have hope: The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent; they are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness. My portion is the Lord, says my soul; therefore will I hope in him. Good is the Lord to one, who waits for him, to the soul that seeks him; It is good to hope in silence for the saving help of the Lord.
The Word of the Lord.

OT SEVEN ~ Daniel 12:1-3 “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.”
A Reading from the Book of Daniel
In those days, I, Daniel, mourned and heard this word of the Lord: At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace. But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.
The Word of the Lord

OT EIGHT (Short Form) - Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 “There is an appointed time for everything.”
A Reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes
There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every affair under the heavens.
A time to give birth, 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.
The Word of the Lord

OT EIGHT (LONG Form) - Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 “There is an appointed time for everything.”
A Reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes
There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every affair under the heavens.
A time to give birth, 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.
What profit have workers from their toil?
I have seen the business
that God has given to mortals to be busied about.

God has made everything appropriate to its time, but has put the timeless into their hearts so they cannot find out, from beginning to end, the work which God has done. I recognized that there is nothing better than to rejoice and to do well during life. Moreover, that all can eat and drink and enjoy the good of all their toil— this is a gift of God.

I recognized that whatever God does will endure forever; there is no adding to it, or taking from it. Thus has God done that he may be revered. What now is has already been; what is to be, already is: God retrieves what has gone by.

The Word of the Lord

*New Testament Easter Season Readings (instead of an Old Testament Reading from Easter Sunday through Pentecost only)

New Testament Readings (Easter Season - Easter Sunday through Pentecost)
(in place of the Old Testament Reading - only during Easter Season, not during the Lenten Season)
*One of the following five readings is always used during the Easter Season.
EASTER NT ONE
Acts 10:34-43 “He is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and dead.”
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Peter proceeded to speak, saying: "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the children of Israel as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible, not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name."
The Word of the Lord

EASTER NT TWO
Revelation 7:9-10, 15-17 “God will wipe away every tear”
A Reading from the Book of Revelation
After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.” “For this reason they stand before God’s throne an worship him day and night in his temple. The one who sits on the throne will shelter them. They will not hunger or thirst anymore, nor will the sun or any heat strike them. For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
The Word of the Lord

EASTER NT THREE
Revelation 14:13 “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.”
A Reading from the Book of Revelation
I John, heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” "Yes," said the Spirit, "let them find rest from their labors, for their works accompany them."
The Word of the Lord

EASTER NT FOUR
Revelation 20:11 – 21:1“The dead were judged according to their deeds.”
A Reading from the Book of Revelation
I, John, saw a large white throne and the one who was sitting on it. The earth and the sky fled from his presence and there was no place for them. I saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. Then another scroll was opened, the book of life. life. The dead were judged according to their deeds, by what was written in the scrolls. The sea gave up its dead; then Death and Hades gave up their dead. All the dead were judged according to their deeds. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire. (This pool of fire is the second death.) Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the pool of fire. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
The Word of the Lord.

Easter NT FIVE
Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7 “There shall be no more death.”
A Reading from the Book of Revelation
I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.” The One who sat on the throne said; "Behold, I make all things new. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water. The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son."
The Word of the Lord

New Testament Readings

New Testament Readings
Please select One (1) New Testament Reading
NT ONE ~ Romans 5:5-11 “Since we are now justified by his blood, we will be saved through him from the wrath.”
A Reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans

Brothers and sisters: Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For Christ, while we were still helpless, died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his Blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
The Word of the Lord.


NT TWO ~ Romans 5:17-21 “Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more.”
A Reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Brothers and sisters: If, by the transgression of the one, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one person Jesus Christ. In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so, through one righteous act, acquittal and life came to all. For just as through disobedience of one man the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of the one the many will be made righteous. The law entered in so that transgression might increase but, where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Word of the Lord.

NT THREE ~ Romans 6:3-9 “We too might live in newness of life.” “We believe that we shall also live with him.”
A Reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his; we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
The Word of the Lord

NT FOUR ~ Romans 8:14-23 “We also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption; the redemption of our bodies.”
A Reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Brothers and sisters: Those who are 1ed by the Spirit of God, are sons 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 the 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, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
The Word of the Lord

NT FIVE ~ Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39 “What will separate us from the love of Christ!”
A Reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Brothers and sisters: If God is for us, who can be against us? He did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Word of the Lord

NT SIX ~ Romans 14:7-9, 10c-12 “Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s”
A Reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Brothers and sisters: 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 11 Lord’s. For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. Why then do you judge your brother? Or you, why do you look down on your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend before me, and every tongue shall give praise to God." So then each of us shall give an accounting of himself to God.
The Word of the Lord

NT SEVEN ~ 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 “So too in Christ shall all be brought to life.”
A Reading from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians
Brothers and sisters: Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead came also through a man. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the first fruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death, for "he subjected everything under his feet." But when it says that everything has been subjected, it is clear that it excludes the one who subjected everything to him. When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.
The Word of the Lord

NT EIGHT ~ 1 Corinthians 15:51-5 “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
A Reading from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians
Brothers and sisters: Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality. And when that which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility, and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, 0 death, is your victory? Where, 0 death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Word of the Lord

NT NINE ~ 2 Corinthians 4:14 – 5:1 What is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.

A Reading from St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians
Brothers and sisters: Knowing 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.
The Word of the Lord.

NT TEN ~ 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-10 “We have a building from God, eternal in heaven.”
A Reading from St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters: 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 the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.
The Word of the Lord.

NT ELEVEN ~ Philippians 3:20-21 “He will change our lowly bodies to conform to his glory.”
A Reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians
Brothers and sisters: Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified Body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.
The Word of the Lord

NT TWELVE ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 “Thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
A Reading from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words.
The Word of the Lord

NT THIRTEEN ~ 2 Timothy 2:8-13 “If we have died with the Lord we shall live also with him.”
A Reading from St. Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy
Beloved: Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendent of David: such is my Gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal.. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.
The Word of the Lord

NT FOURTEEN ~ l John 3:1-2 “We are God’s children now.”
A Reading from the First Letter of St. John
Beloved: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
The Word of the Lord.

NT FIFTEEN ~ 1 John 3:14-16 “We know that we have passed from death to life because we love each other.”

A Reading from the first Letter of St. John
Beloved: We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you now that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
The Word of the Lord

Gospel Readings

Gospel Readings
Select ONE Gospel Reading
The Gospel reading is ALWAYS read by the Deacon or priest.

Gospel ONE Matthew 5:1-12a “Rejoice and be glad, the kingdom of heaven is yours!”
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. B1essed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

Gospel TWO ~ Matthew 11:25-30 “Come to me and I will give you rest.”
At that time Jesus answered: "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him. Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Gospel THREE ~ Matthew 25:1-13 “Behold the bridegroom! Come out to him!
Jesus told his disciples this parable: "The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, 'Behold; the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise ones replied, 'No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you; I do not know you.' Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Gospel FOUR ~ Matthew 25:31-46 “Come, you who are blessed by my father.”
Jesus said to his disciples: "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right; 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed, me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison and visit you?' And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, 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, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.' Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of the least ones, you did not do for me.' And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

Gospel FIVE ~ Mark 15:33-39; 16:1-6 “Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.”
At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi lema sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Some of the bystanders who heard it said, "Look, he is calling Elijah." One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down." Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his1ast. The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!" When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him. Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb. They were saying to one another, “Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back; it was very large. On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe; and they were utterly amazed. He said to them, "Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him."

Gospel SIX ~ Luke 7:11-17 “Young man, I tell you, arise!”
Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, "Do not weep." He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the, bearers halted, and he said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!" The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, "A great prophet has arisen in our midst," and "God has visited his people.” This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

Gospel SEVEN ~ Luke 23:33, 39-43 “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified Jesus and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” The other man, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Gospel EIGHT ~ Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53; 24:1-6a “Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit.”
It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last. Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who, though he was a member of the council, went to Pilate and asked for the Body of Jesus. After he had taken the Body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid him in a rock- hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried. At daybreak on the first day of the week the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them. They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. They said to them, "Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised."

Gospel NINE ~ Luke 24:13-35 “The Lord has truly been raised!”
That very day, the first day of the week, two of the disciples of Jesus were going to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, "What are you discussing as you walk along?" They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his Body; and they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, Jesus interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?" So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them, who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!" Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.

Gospel TEN ~ John 5:24-29 “Whoever hears my word has passed from death to life.
Jesus answered the Jews and said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who has sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life. Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he gave to the Son the possession of life in himself. And he gave him power to exercise judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation.

Gospel ELEVEN ~ John 6:51-59 “Whoever eats this bread will live forever, and I will raise them up on the last day.”
Jesus said to the crowds: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.” The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever."

Gospel TWELVE ~ John 11:17-27 “I am the resurrection and the life.”
When Jesus arrived in Bethany he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away. Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”

Gospel THIRTEEN ~ John 11:32-45 “Lazarus, come out! “If you believe, you will see the glory of God.”
When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said to him "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping, he became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Sir, come and see.” And Jesus wept. So the Jews, said "See how he loved him." But some of them said, "Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man have done something so that this man would not have died?" So Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay across it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the dead man's sister, said to him, "Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you have sent me.” And when he had said this, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to crowd, “Untie him and let him go.” Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him.

Gospel FOURTEEN ~ John 14:1-6 “In my Father’s house there are many dwellings.”
Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may also be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Gospel FIFTEEN ~ John 17:24-26 “I wish that where I am they also may be with me.”
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: "Father, those whom you gave me are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”

Gospel SIXTEEN ~ John 19:17-18, 25-39 “And bowing his head he handed over his spirit.”
So they took Jesus, and, carrying the cross himself, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I thirst." There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, "It is finished." And bowing his head, he handed over the Spirit. Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the Sabbath, for the Sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may come to believe. For this happened so that the Scripture passage might be fulfilled: Not a bone of it will be broken. And again another passage says: They will look upon him whom they have pierced. After this, Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. And Pilate permitted it. So he came and took his body. Nicodemus, the one who had first come to him at night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about one hundred pounds.

General Intercessions

General Intercessions ( Select ONE set of Intercession 1-4)
Intercession I:
Priest
Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and sits at the right hand of the Father, where he intercedes for his Church. Confident that God hears the voices of those who trust in the Lord Jesus, we join our prayers to his

Reader says: Our Response is: Hear our prayer

Reader: In baptism ____________ received the light of Christ. Scatter the darkness now and lead him/her over the waters of death. Lord, in your mercy----Hear our prayer
Reader: Our sister/brother, ___________ was nourished at the table of the Savior. Welcome him/her into the halls of the heavenly banquet. Lord, in your mercy----Hear our prayer
Reader: Many friends and members of our families have gone before us and await the kingdom. Grant them an everlasting home with your Son. Lord, in your mercy----Hear our prayer
Reader: Many people die by violence, war and famine each day. Show your mercy to those who suffer so unjustly these sins against your love, and gather them to the eternal kingdom of peace. Lord, in your mercy----Hear our prayer
Reader: Those who trusted in the Lord now sleep in the Lord. Give refreshment, rest and peace to all whose faith is known to you alone. Lord, in your mercy----Hear our prayer
Reader: We are assembled here in faith and confidence to pray for our brother/sister _________. Strengthen our hope so that we may live in the expectation of your Son’s coming. Lord, in your mercy----Hear our prayer

Priest: Lord God, Giver of peace and healer of souls, hear the prayers of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and the voices of your people, whose lives were purchased by the blood of the Lamb. Forgive the sins of all who sleep in Christ and grant them a place in the kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord: Amen

Intercession II:

Priest: God, the almighty Father, raised Christ his son from the dead; with confidence we ask him to save all his people, living and dead:

Reader says: Our Response is: “hear our prayer”

Reader: For ________ who in baptism was given the pledge of eternal life, that he/she may now be admitted to the company of the saints. Lord, in your mercy----hear our prayer
Reader: For________ who ate the body of Christ, the bread of life, that he/she may be raised up on the last day. Lord, in your mercy----hear our prayer
Reader: For our deceased relatives and friends and for all who have helped us, that they may have the reward of their goodness. Lord, in your mercy----hear our prayer
Reader: For those who have fallen asleep in the hope of rising again, that they may see God face to face. Lord, in your mercy----hear our prayer
Reader: For the family and friends of ________, that they may be consoled in their grief by the Lord, who wept at the death of his friend, Lazarus. Lord, in your mercy----hear our prayer
Reader: For all of us assembled here to worship in faith, that we may be gathered together again in God’s kingdom. Lord, in your mercy----hear our prayer

Priest: God, our shelter and our strength, you listen in love to the cry of your people: hear the prayers we offer for our departed brothers and sisters. Cleanse them of their sins and grant them the fullness of redemption. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen

Intercession III:

Priest: My dear friends, let us join with one another in praying to God, not only for our departed sister/brother, but also for the Church, for peace in the world, and for ourselves.

Reader says: Please respond --- Lord, hear our prayer for each petition
Reader: That the bishops and priests of the Church, and all who preach the Gospel, may be given the strength to express in action the word they proclaim. We pray to the Lord/All: Lord, Hear Our Prayer
Reader: That those in public office may promote justice and peace. We pray to the Lord/All: Lord, Hear Our Prayer
Reader: That those who bear the cross of pain in mind or body may never feel forsaken by God. We pray to the Lord/All: Lord, Hear Our Prayer
Reader: That God may deliver the soul of his servant ______________ from punishment and from the powers of darkness. We pray to the Lord/All: Lord, Hear Our Prayer
Reader: That God in his mercy may blot out all his/her offenses. We pray to the Lord/All: Lord, Hear Our Prayer
Reader: That God may establish him/her in light and peace. We pray to the Lord/All: Lord, Hear Our Prayer
Reader: That God may call him/her to happiness in the company of all the saints.
Reader: That God may welcome into his glory those of our family and friends who have departed this life. We pray to the Lord/All: Lord, Hear Our Prayer
Reader: That God may give a place in the kingdom of heaven to all the faithful departed. We pray to the Lord/All: Lord, Hear Our Prayer

Priest: O God, Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of your departed servants release from all their sins. Hear our prayers for those we love and give them the pardon they have always desired. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen

Intercession IV:

Priest: Let us turn to Christ Jesus with confidence and faith in the power of his cross and resurrection
Reader says – Our Response is - Lord have mercy
Reader: Risen Lord, pattern of our life forever, Lord have mercy. All – Lord Have Mercy
Reader: Promise and image of what we shall be, Lord have mercy. All – Lord Have Mercy
Reader: Son of God who came to take away sin and death, Lord have mercy. All – Lord Have Mercy
Reader: Word of God who delivered us from the fear of death, Lord have mercy. All – Lord Have Mercy
Reader: Crucified Lord, forsaken in death, raised in glory, Lord have mercy. All – Lord Have Mercy
Reader: Lord Jesus, gentle Shepherd who brings rest to our souls, give peace to us forever, Lord have mercy. All – Hear
Reader: Lord Jesus, you bless those who mourn and are in pain. Bless ______'s family and friends who gather around her/him today. All – Lord Have Mercy

Priest: Lord God, you entrusted to us and now you embrace ______ in your love. Take into your arms together with all those who have died. Comfort us, your servants, who seek to do your will and to know your peace. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.

Music

MUSIC
The Music Ministry at Saint Thomas the Apostle extends to you our deepest sympathy. We realize that at such a time it may be difficult to think about music for the Funeral Liturgy. To assist you with the funeral service music we have developed the following guide.
Below is a list of suggested hymns that our parish community knows and frequently sings at funerals. You may use this list as a guide. If you care to make other selections, if there is a specific song you would like included, or if you need other help with the funeral music, please discuss this with the music ministry. If you would like to use a hymn or piece of music that is not included in this list, please contact the director of music ministry to discuss the selection. If you have no specific music preferences the music ministry will gladly make the selections for you.

The Mass Acclamations: Alleluia, Holy, Great Amen and Lamb of God are chosen by the Director of Music Ministry.

Gathering Songs (Pick one)
Alleluia, Sing to Jesus
Amazing Grace
Be Not Afraid
Blessed Are They
Here I am Lord
I Know that My Redeemer Lives
Precious Lord, Take My Hand
Sing with All the Saints in Glory

PSALMS (Pick one)
Psalm 23 - The Lord is My Shepherd
Psalm 25 - To You, O Lord, I Lift My Soul (Gather)
Psalm 31 - Shepherd Me O God
Psalm 27 - The Lord is My Light
Psalm 63 - My Soul is Thirsting For You
Psalm 103 - The Lord is Kind and Merciful
Psalm 131 – My Soul is Still
I Have Loved You

PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS (Pick one)
Alleluia, Sing to Jesus
Amazing Grace
Blest Are They
Be Not Afraid
Eye Has Not Seen
Holy Is His Name
I Have Loved You
It is Well
Lord You Have Come
On Eagle's Wings
Prayer of St. Francis
Seek Ye First
Servant Song
You Are Near

COMMUNION HYMN (Pick One)   MEDITATION HYMN (optional)

Behold the Lamb Ave Maria
Gift of Finest Wheat Hail Mary, Gentle Woman
I Am the Bread of Life Lady of Knock
One Bread, One Body
Panis Angelicus
Pan de Vida
Supper of the Lord
Taste and See
Unless a Grain of Wheat

RECESSIONAL HYMN (Pick one)
Alleluia, Sing to Jesus
Amazing Grace
City of God
How Great Thou Art
Let There Be Peace on Earth
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
O God, Our Help in Ages Past
On Eagle's Wings
Precious Lord, Take My Hand
Sing a New Song
We Walk by Faith

St. Thomas the Apostle CATHOLIC Church

Glen Mills, PA

Readings, Intercessions and Music for Funerals