Readings
Depending on whether the family wants a first (1st) and second (2nd) reading besides the psalm or just a first reading, the two possibilities are:
(1st) Old Testament Reading — Psalm — (2nd) New Testament Reading — Gospel
or
(1st) Old Testament Reading or New Testament Reading — Psalm — Gospel
As a reader chosen by the family you should ascertain whether you are doing the first reading only, or the first and second readings (if there is to be a second reading). A single reader may do both of the readings (Old and New Testaments) or each may be read by someone different. The Psalm will be sung by the singer in the choir loft if a singer has been requested.
Readers
As a reader at a Catholic Funeral Mass, you must be a Catholic adult in good standing and be able to read clearly and distinctly in public without crying, speaking too softly, or speaking too quickly (both signs of nervousness). If you don’t think you’re capable of this, advise the family that they should get someone else. Dress should be what is appropriate for a funeral. A man will usually wear a suit. A woman’s dress should be modest — not a miniskirt and certainly with no décolletage or cleavage showing.
For convenience, you should try to sit on the aisle so as not to have to climb over others to get out. After the priest asks the congregation to “please be seated for the first reading,” if you are the first reader, remain standing, come up the center aisle to the sanctuary steps, reverence the altar with a slight bow, and proceed left to the pulpit. At the pulpit, a separate binder with the readings will be opened to the first reading. Standing up straight, adjust the microphone so that it is pointing to your mouth and turn on the light if needed. Starting with the introduction, begin without a “Good morning” or any other greeting.
Here is an example:
Read only the text in black; do not read the text in red. Give the pauses their full due. It might seem long to you, it will seem just right to the congregation. Return to your seat if someone else is doing the second reading. If you are doing both readings, step down from the pulpit and stand in front of the curtain (out of
the way) for the psalm to be sung.
The psalm will be sung by the singer in the choir loft if one has been requested. (If no singer is requested, remain in the pulpit and read the psalm as well. Return to your seat if a second reader is reading after you.)
After the psalm is sung, if you are the first reader and are going to read the second reading as well, step back into the pulpit and begin the second reading. If you are the second reader, after the psalm is sung, follow the same procedure as the first reader in coming up the aisle and going to the pulpit. Turn the page for the second reading. When finished, return to your pew.
During the Easter season (between Easter and Pentecost), no Old Testament reading is used for the first reading. Rather, a New Testament reading is used: either 1, 17, 18, or 19 from the New Testament selections.
—OT 1—
A reading from the book of Job [19:1, 23-27]
Job answered and said:
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 Redeemer 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 2—
A reading from the book of Wisdom [3:1-6, 9]
The souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality.
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings, he took them to himself.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.
The Word of the Lord.
—OT 3—
A reading from the book of Wisdom [4:7-15]
The just man, though he die early, shall be at rest.
For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time,
nor can it be measured in terms of years.
Rather, understanding is the hoary crown for men,
and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age.
He who pleased God was loved;
he who lived among sinners was transported:
snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind
or deceit beguile his soul;
For the witchery of paltry things obscures what is right
and the whirl of desire transforms the innocent mind.
Having become perfect in a short while, he reached the fullness
of a long career;
for his soul was pleasing to the Lord,
therefore he sped him out of the midst of wickedness.
But the people saw and did not understand,
nor did they take this into account.
The Word of the Lord.
—OT 4—
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah [25:6a, 7-9]
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 5—
A reading from the book of Lamentations [3:17-26]
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:
that 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 6—
A reading from the book of the prophet Daniel [12:1-3]
I, Daniel, mourned and I 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 wake.
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 7—
A reading from the second book of Maccabees [12:43-46]
Judas Maccabeus, 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 their sin.
The Word of the Lord.
(Choose one but only if there is no singer at the Funeral)
—Ps 1—
From Psalm 23. Your response is . . .
℟ The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul. ℟
He guides me in right paths for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil;
for you are at my side with your rod and your staff
that give me courage. ℟
You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ℟
Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. ℟
—Ps 2—
From Psalm 25. Your response is . . .
℟ To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
Remember that your compassion, O Lord,
and your kindness are from of old.
In your kindness remember me
because of your goodness, O Lord. ℟
Relieve the troubles of my heart,
and bring me out of my distress.
Put an end to my affliction and my suffering,
and take away all my sins. ℟
Preserve my life, and rescue me;
let me not be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
because I wait for you, O Lord. ℟
—Ps 3—
From Psalm 27. Your response is . . .
℟ The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The Lord is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid? ℟
One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek:
to dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
that I may gaze on the loveliness of the Lord
and contemplate his temple. ℟
Hear, O Lord, the sound of my call;
have pity on me, and answer me.
Your presence, O Lord, I seek.
Hide not your face from me. ℟
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord. ℟
—Ps 4—
From Psalms 42 and 43. Your response is . . .
℟ My soul is thirsting for the living God
As the deer longs for running waters,
so my soul longs for you, O God. ℟
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God? ℟
Send forth your light and your fidelity;
they shall lead me on and bring me to your holy mountain,
to your dwelling-place, O God. ℟
Then will I go in to the altar of God,
the God of my gladness and joy.
Then will I give you thanks upon the harp,
O God, my God! ℟
Why are you so downcast, my soul?
Why do you sigh within me?
Hope in God! For I shall again be thanking him,
in the presence of my savior and my God. ℟
—Ps 5—
From Psalm 63. Your response is . . .
℟ My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. ℟
Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary
to see your power and your glory.
For your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you. ℟
Thus will I bless you while I live;
lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.
As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied,
and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. ℟
You are my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
My soul clings fast to you;
your right hand upholds me. ℟
—Ps 6—
From Psalm 103. Your response is . . .
℟ The Lord is kind and merciful.
Merciful and gracious is the Lord,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes. ℟
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him,
for he knows how we are formed;
he remembers that we are dust. ℟
Man's days are like those of grass;
like a flower of the field he blooms;
The wind sweeps over him and he is gone,
and his place knows him no more. ℟
But the kindness of the Lord is from eternity to eternity
toward those who fear him,
as is his justice toward children's children
among those who keep his covenant
and remember to fulfill his precepts. ℟
—Ps 7—
From Psalm 116. Your response is . . .
℟ I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.
Gracious is the Lord and just;
yes, our God is merciful.
The Lord keeps the little ones;
I was brought low, and he saved me. ℟
I believed, even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted.”
I said in my alarm,
“No man is dependable.” ℟
Precious in the eyes of the Lord
is the death of his faithful ones.
O Lord, I am your servant;
you have loosed my bonds. ℟
—Ps 8—
From Psalm 122. Your response is . . .
℟ Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the Lord.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem. ℟
Jerusalem! built as a city
with compact unity!
The tribes go up to it,
the tribes of the Lord,
according to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord! ℟
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! ℟
May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your walls,
prosperity in your buildings! ℟
Because of my relatives and friends
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
Because of the house of the Lord, our God,
I will pray for your good. ℟
—Ps 9—
From Psalm 130. Your response is . . .
℟ Out of the depths, I cry to you, O Lord.
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord;
Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to my voice in supplication. ℟
If you, O Lord, mark iniquities,
Lord, who can stand?
But with you is forgiveness,
that you may be revered. ℟
I trust in the Lord;
my soul trusts in his word.
My soul waits for the Lord
more than sentinels wait for the dawn. ℟
For with the Lord is kindness
and plenteous redemption;
and he will redeem Israel
from all their iniquities. ℟
—Ps 10—
From Psalm 143. Your response is . . .
℟ O Lord, hear my prayer.
O Lord, hear my prayer;
hearken to my pleading in your faithfulness;
In your justice answer me, and enter not into judgment with your servant,
for before you no living man is just. ℟
I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all your doings,
the works of your hands I ponder.
I stretch out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like parched land. ℟
Hasten to answer me, O Lord,
for my spirit fails me.
At dawn let me hear of your kindness,
for in you I trust. ℟
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
May your good spirit guide me on level ground. ℟
During the Easter season (between Easter and Pentecost), no Old Testament reading is used for the first reading. Rather, a New Testament reading is used: 1, 17, 18, or 19 from the New Testament selections.
—NT 1—
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles [10:34-43]
Peter proceeded to address the people in these words:
“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 he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. It 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.
—NT 2—
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans [5:5-11]
Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that 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 man, though perhaps for a good man 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 3—
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans [5:17-21]
If, by the transgression of one man, death came to reign through him, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one man 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 the disobedience of one man the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one man 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 4—
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans [6:3-4, 8-9]
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. 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 5—
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans [8:14-23]
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, Abba, "Father!” The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint
heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation 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 thus 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 6—
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans [8:31b-35, 37-39]
If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who acquits us! Who will condemn? It is Christ Jesus who died (rather, was raised, and 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 7—
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans [14:7-9, 10b-12]
None of us lives for himself, and none of us dies for himself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For this is why Christ died and came to life: that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written:
As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend before me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.
So then, each of us shall give an account of himself to God.
The Word of the Lord.
—NT 8—
A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians [15:20-23]
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 him.
The Word of the Lord
—NT 9—
A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians [15:51-57]
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 that which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about:
Death is swallowed up in victory.
Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O 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 10—
A reading from the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians [4:14-5:1]
We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God. Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, though 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 still have a dwelling from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.
The Word of the Lord.
—NT 11—
A reading from the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians [5:1, 6-10]
We know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we still have a dwelling from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven. So we are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yet we are
courageous, and would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.
The Word of the Lord.
—NT 12—
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Philippians [3:20-21]
Jesus will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours to be like his glorious body. Our citizenship is in heaven, and from heaven 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 13—
A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians [4:13-18]
We want you to be aware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this on the word of the Lord: that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore, console one another with these words.
The Word of the Lord.
—NT 14—
A reading from the second letter of Paul to Timothy [2:8-13]
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant 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 15—
A reading from the first letter of John [3:1-2]
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 16—
A reading from the first letter of John [3:14-16]
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 know 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.
—NT 17—
A reading from the book of Revelation [14:13]
I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” said the Spirit, “let them find rest from their labors, for their good deeds go with them.”
The Word of the Lord.
—NT 18—
A reading from the book of Revelation [20:11-21:1]
I saw a large white throne and the One who was sitting on it. The earth and the sky fled from his presence, 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. 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.
—NT 19—
A reading from the book of Revelation [21:1-5a, 6b-7]
I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God's dwelling is with men. 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