Popular Scripture Readings

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

None of us 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 when, 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.

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

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 that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 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.

A reading from the Book of Job 19:1, 23-27

Job answered 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.

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: 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.

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

“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.

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.

A reading from the book of Wisdom 3:1-9

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. 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 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.

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 what 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.

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, yet 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.

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

If, by the transgression of one person, 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 the 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 the disobedience of one person the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of 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.

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.

A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans (6:3-9)

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. 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.

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 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.

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, 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.

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

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.

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.

A reading from the second book of Maccabees 12:43-46

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.

A reading from the second letter to Timothy 4:6-8

For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.

The Word of the Lord.

Da Epístola de S. Paulo aos Romanos 5, 5-11

Meus irmãos:

A esperança não engana, porque o amor de Deus foi derramado em nossos corações pelo Espírito Santo que nos foi dado.

Quando ainda éramos fracos, Cristo morreu pelos ímpios no tempo determindado. Por um justo, dificilmente alguém morrerá; por um homem bom, talvez alguém tivesse a coragem de morrer. Mas Deus prova assim o seu amor para connosco: Cristo morreu por nós, quando éramos ainda pecadores. E agora, que fomos justificados pelo seu Sangue, com muito maior razão seremos por Ele salvos da ira divina.

Se, na verdade, quando éramos inimigos, fomos reconcilados com Deus pela morte de seu Filho, com muito mais razão, depois de reconciliados, havemos de ser salvos pela sua vida. Mais ainda: também nos gloriamos em Deus, por Nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo, por quem alcançámos agora a reconciliação.

Palavra do Senhor.

Da Epístola de S. Paulo aos Romanos 14, 7-12

Meus irmãos:

Nenhum de nós vive por si mesmo e nenhum de nós morre para si mesmo. Se vivemos, vivemos para o Senhor; e se morremos, morremos para o Senhor. Portanto, quer vivamos que morramos, pertencemos ao Senhor. Na verdade, Cristo morreu e ressuscitou para ser o Senhor dos vivos e dos mortos.

Todos havemos de comparecer diante do tribunal de Deus. Está escrito: «Tão certo como Eu estar vivo, diz o Senhor, todo o joelho se dobrará diante de Mim e toda a língua dará louvor a Deus».

Portanto, cada um de nós dará contas de si mesmo a Deus.

Palavra do Senhor.

Da Epístola de S. Paulo aos Romanos 5,17-21

Meus irmãos:

Se a morte reinou pelo pecado de um só homem, com muito mais razão aqueles que recebem com abundância a graça e o dom da justiça reinarão na vida por meio de um só, Jesus Cristo.

Porque assim como pelo pecado de um só veio para todos os homens a condenação, assim também, pela obra de justiça de um só virá para todos a justificação que dá a vida.

De facto, como pela desobediência de um só homem muitos se tornaram pecadores, assim também, pela obediência de um só, muitos se tornarão justos.

A Lei interveio, para aumentar a consciência do pecado. Mas onde abundou o pecado reinou pela morte, tambem a graça reine pela justiça, para nos dar a vida eterna, por Jesus Cristo, nosso Senhor.

Palavra do Senhor.

Da Epístola de S. Paulo aos Romanos 8, 14-23

Meus irmãos:

Todos aqueles que são movidos pelo Espírito de Deus são filhos de Deus. Vós não recebestes um espírito de escravidão para recair no temor, mas o Espírito de adopção filial, pelo qual exclamamos: «Abba. Pai».

O próprio Esírito Santo dá testemunho, em união com o nosso espírito, de que somos filhos de Deus. Se somos filhos, também somos herdeiros: herdeiros de Deus e herdeiros com Cristo; se sofremos com Ele, também com Ele seremos glorificados.

Eu penso, de facto, que os sofrimentos do tempo presente não têm comparação com a glória que se há-de manifestar em nós.

Na verdade, as criaturas esperam ansiosamente a revelação dos filhos de Deus. Elas estão sujeitas à vã situação do mundo, não por sua vontade, mas por vontade d’Aquele que as submeteu, com a esperança de que as mesmas criaturas sejam também libertadas da corrupção que escraviza para receberem a gloriosa liberdade dos filhos de Deus.

Sabemos que toda a criatura geme ainda agora e sofre as dores da maternidade. E não só ela, mas também nós que possuímos as primícias do Espírito, gememos interiormente, esperando a adopção filial e a libertação do nosso corpo.

Palavra do Senhor.

Da Epístola de S. Paulo aos Romanos 8, 31b-35.37-39

Meus irmãos:

Se Deus está por nós, quem estará contra nós? Deus, que não poupou seu próprio filho, mas O entregou à morte por todos nós, como não havia de nos dar, com Ele, todas as coisas?

Quem acusará os eleitos de Deus? Deus, que os justifica? Quem os condenará? Cristo Jesus, que morreu, e mais ainda, que ressuscitou e que está à direita de Deus e intercede por nós?

Quem poderá separar-nos do amor de Cristo? A tribulação, a angústia, a perseguição, a fome, a nudez, o perigo ou a espada?

Em todas estas coisas somos vencedores, graças Àquele que nos amu. Na verdade, eu estou certo de que nem a morte nem a vida, nem os Anjos nem os Principados, nem o presente nem o futuro, nem as Potestades, nem a profundidade nem a altura, nem qualquer outra criatiura poderá separa-nos do amor de Deus, que se manifestou em Cristo Jesus, nosso Senhor.

Palavra do Senhor.

Primeira Epístola de S. Paulo aos Coríntios 15, 51-57

Meus irmãos:

Vou dar-vos a conhecer um mistério: nem todos havemos de morrer, mas todos seremos transformados, num momento, num abrir e fechar de olhos, ao som da trombeta final. A trombeta soará: os mortos ressuscitarão incorruptíveis e nós seremos transformados. É que este nosso corpo corruptível tem de se tornar incorruptível, este nosso corpo mortal tem de se tornar imortal.

Quando este nosso corpo corruptível ficar incorruptível, quando este nosso corpot mortal ficar imortal, então se realizará a palavra da Escritura: «A morte foi absorvida na vitória. Ó morte onde está a tua vitória. Onde está, ó morte, o teu aguilhão?»

O aguilhão da morte é o pecado, e a força do pecado é a Lei. Mas dêmos graças a Deus, que nos dá a vitória por Nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo.

Palavra do Senhor.

Do Livro da Sabedoria 3, 1-9

As almas dos justos estão na mão de Deus e nenhum tormento os atingirá. Aos olhos dos insensatos parecem ter morrido; a sua saída deste mundo foi considerada uma desgraça, e a sua partida do meio de nós um aniquilamento. Mas eles estão em paz.

Se aos olhos dos homens eles foram atormentados, a sua esperança estava cheia de imortalidade. Depois de leve pena, terão grandes benefícios, porque Deus os pôs à prova e os achou dignos de Si. Experimentou-os como ouro no crisol e aceitou-os como sacrifício de holocausto.

(No tempo da sua recompensa eles hão-de brilhar e propagar-se como centelhas através da palha: Hão-de governar as nações e dominar os povos, e o Senhor reinará sobre eles eternamente).

Os que n’Ele confiam compreenderão a verdade, e os que Lhe são fiéis permanecerão com Ele no amor, pois a graça e a misericórdia são para os seus santos e a sua vinda serã benéfica para os seus eleitos.

Palavra do Senhor.

Do Livro de Job 19, 1. 23-27

Job tomou a palavra e disse:

Quem dera que as minhas palavras fossem escritas num livro, ou gravadas em bronze com estilete de ferro, ou esculpidas em pedra para sempre!

Eu sei que o meu Redentor está vivo e no último dia

Se levantantará sobre a terra. Revestido da minha pele, estarei de pé; na minha carne verei a Deus. Eu próprio O verei, meus olhos O hão-de contemplar».

Palavra do Senhor.

Do Livro do Profeta Daniel 12,1-3

Naqueles dias, eu, Daniel, chorava e ouvi o Anjo do Senhor que me dizia: «Nos últimos tempos, surgirá Miguel, o grande chefe dos Anjos, que protege os filhos do teu povo. Será um tempo de angústia, como não terá havido até então, desde que existem nações.

Nesse tempo virá a salvação para o teu povo, para aqueles que estiverem inscritos no livro de Deus. Muitos dos que dormem no pó da terra acordarão, uns para a vida eterna, outros para a vergonha e o horror eterno.

Os sábios resplandecerão como a luz do firmamento; e os que ensinaram a muitos a justiça brilharão como estrelas por toda a eternidade.

Palavra do Senhor.

Do Livro do Profeta Isaías 25, 6.7-9

Naquele dia, o Senhor do universo há-de preparar, no monte Sião, um banquete para todos os povos. Sobre este monte, o Senhor há-de tirar o véu que cobria todos os povos, o pano qu envolvia todas as nações,

Destruirá a morte para sempre. O Senhor Deus enxugará as lágrimas de todas as faces e fará desaparecer da terra inteira o opróbrio que pesa sobre o seu povo. Porque o Senhor falou.

Dir-se-á naquele dia: «Eis o nosso Deus, de quem esperávamos a salvação; este é o Senhor, em quem pusemos a nossa confiança. Alegremos-nos e exultemos, porque nos salvou».

Palavra do Senhor.

Do Segundo Livro dos Macabeus 12, 43-46

Naqueles dias, Judas Macabeu fez uma colecta de cerca de duas mil dracmas de prata e enviou-as a Jerusalém, para que se oferecesse um sacrifício pelos pecados dos que tinham morrido, praticando assim uma acção muito digna e nobre, inspirada na esperança da ressurreição.

Porque se ele não esprasse que os que tinham sucumbido haviam de ressuscitar, teria sido em vão e supérfluo orar pelos mortos. Além disso, pensava na magnífica recompensa que está reservada àqueles que morrem piedosamente.

Era um santo e piedoso pensamento. Por isso mandou oferecer um sacrifício de expiação pelos mortos, para que fossem libertos do seu pecado.

Palavra do Senhor